September/October 2024 | The Architecture & Design Issue

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

Where Excellence Finds a Home

Trust the power of Elliman’s most experienced Austin agents.

Todd Burgener Sales Agent, Austin

AUSTIN’S JEWELRY DESTINATION

SINCE 1973

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Tom Dixon's wicker wheels at

FEATURES

Renovating the Ramshackle p.18

Fonda San Miguel Prepares for the Next 50 Years p.24

Elegance and Timelessness at Kassarine Pass p.30

Surgical Precision Meets

Architectural Vision p.42

Bonnie Beauty p.70

Revving Up Design p.94

ARTICLES

Falling for Local Looks p.36

Luxury Without Limits p.48

Timeless Threads p.76

Whimsical Wig Whisperer p.90

What Grows Together Goes Together p.116

Environmentalism Made Playful p.118

Round Top Rendezvous p.120

IN EVERY ISSUE

Event Picks: Hats Off to Fall p.12

Social Hour: Parties & Galas p.14

Travel: Bowie House - Fort Worth p.38

Dining: The Violet Crown p.82

Giving Back: CASA of Travis County p.110

Art: Branch Park Mural p.112

Street Style: Looks from the Long Center Lawn p.114

Ask Kristin: Rising in Love Again p.122

GUIDES

Home Design Guide p.50

Fall Wellness Guide p.100

Marburger Farm at Round Top

ON THE COVER

Jumping into the Ramshackle House swimming pool.

Photo by Robert Gomez

ByGeorge Celebrates 45 Years of Luxury and Legacy

Home of Ashley Gordon and Vincent Cavaretta

If there is one thing I love, it’s a “glow up” story — a triumphant transformation, a remarkable renovation, an exciting evolution. In this issue, we’re celebrating many of Austin’s recent revamps.

With an overarching focus on architecture and design, our issue delves into the delicate dance between the visionaries and craftsmen who create bespoke buildings and homes that add to the dynamic character of Austin. In the past few months, I have had the great pleasure of speaking with architects, builders and interior designers to grasp intimate details of their collaborative process, learning the intricacies of how much care and thought goes into every aspect of their work.

In our cover story about the Ramshackle House, we uncovered surprising twists. A modest and unsuspecting front facade leads to an amazing interior, prompting a sense of surprise upon realizing the scope and creativity of the project by Hatch Works Design.

We were honored to sit down with Fonda San Miguel owner, Tom Gilliland, to discuss the beloved Austin restaurant’s upcoming 50th anniversary and be entrusted with an inside look at the plans for Tzintzuntzan, a forthcoming sister restaurant next door. As Gilliland and his team work with world-renowned firm Miró Rivera Architecture on a distinctly modern design, we relished in learning about the motivation behind this unexpected concept.

Stories of transformation can be found throughout this issue — magic moments made at Allyson Garro’s Coco Coquette boutique, a marvelous new mural adorning the Texas Farmers’ Market space in Mueller and a look at how a 1950s pharmacy in Crestview has been reshaped into a hub of revelry as the Violet Crown Wine Bar & Coffee Shop. Additionally, our longtime contributor, Kristin Armstrong, explores the excitement of embarking on new “Phase 2” chapters in one’s personal life.

From renovating homes, erecting cafes, building community connections and even strengthening self worth, we’re rising alongside our ever-changing city to share stories of growth, renewal and the many makeovers happening in Austin.

These are days. the

Austin’s luxury resort, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, curates an elevated experience sure to create unforgettable memories. Nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, our resort offers an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. Located just 10 miles from downtown Austin, your perfect Texas Hill Country retreat awaits.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024

AUSTIN CURATED

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Heidi Okla

ART DIRECTOR

Rachel Tieleman

BRAND STRATEGY DIRECTOR

Georgie Miller

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Cassie Butterfield

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Liz Harroun

MEDIA COORDINATOR

Morgan Seminaro

DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jenna Belle Fuhrmann

WRITERS

Jillian Anthony

Kristin Armstrong

Darcie Duttweiler

Christina Garcia

Sabrina Macias

Avery Matschek

Emily Potts

Meher Qazilbash

COPY EDITOR

Avery Matschek

EDITORIAL INTERN

Meredith Brown

Isabel Neumann

Julia Zeddies

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Casey Dunn

Grace Dupuy

Ryann Ford

Robert Gomez

Madeline Harper

Dani Parsons

Nick Sorrentino

Jeff Teicher

Hayden Walker

Julia Zeddies

PRESIDENT

Chad Miller

PUBLISHER

Krissy LittleStar Hearn

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ashley Sauls

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Michelle Reid

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Melanie Rognerud

TRIBEZA MEDIA, LLC

Jim Kastleman – Chairman

Chad Miller

Holly Moore

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Aidan Derr

TRIBEZA AMBASSADOR

George Elliman

Office Address: 111 Sandra Muraida Way #100 Austin, TX 78703

Mailing Address: TRIBEZA

3411 Richmond Ave, Suite 600 Houston, TX 77046

ph (512) 474 4711 | fax (512) 474 4715 tribeza.com

Founded in March 2001, TRIBEZA is Austin’s leading locally-owned arts and culture magazine.

Copyright @ 2024 by TRIBEZA Media, LLC All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

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HATS OFF to Fall

PERFECT HEADWEAR FOR AUSTIN'S TOP EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

By Cassie Butterfield & Morgan Seminaro

BAT FEST batfest.com

This vibrant, bat-themed festival highlights the awe-inspiring sight of over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats taking flight at dusk from the Congress Avenue Bridge. With live music, arts and crafts, delicious food and a quirky costume contest, it's a lively annual celebration.

September 22

AUSTIN MUSEUM DAY

austinmuseums.org

Mark your calendars for a day of free admission to numerous Austin-area museums, celebrating art, culture, history, music, nature, science and play. Enjoy complimentary access and special programming all day long.

October Friday & Saturday evenings BOO AT THE ZOO austinzoo.org

Get ready for a howling good time at Boo at the Zoo, where kids can flaunt their Halloween costumes while exploring the spookily decorated Austin Zoo after dark. Enjoy a haunted house, eerie train ride and a frightfully fun animal show for a night of thrills and chills. HAAM BENEFIT DAY myhaam.org

Join the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) for live performances and special events throughout Austin, raising funds to ensure Austin's musicians have access to essential health services.

waterloogreenway.org

Join Waterloo Greenway for an unforgettable evening under the stars at their signature fundraiser, Glow in the Park. Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner by MML Hospitality, an excit ing auction and an intimate concert by a special musical guest. Proceeds support the park's upkeep as well as free family-friendly events

October 4-6 & 11-13

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

MUSIC FESTIVAL aclfestival.com

Join the annual celebration of music, featuring a diverse lineup of local and international artists across multiple genres. ACL Festival offers an unforgettable experience with live performances, food vendors and interactive art installations, all against the stunning backdrop of the city’s skyline.

VIVA LA VIDA FESTIVAL AND PARADE

October 24-31

AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL austinfilmfestival.com

The Viva La Vida Festival and Parade, hosted by the Mexic-Arte Museum, celebrates its 41st anniversary with vibrant processions, live music and traditional arts and crafts honoring Dia de los Muertos. Join the festivities to experience the rich cultural heritage and lively community spirit that make this event a cherished local tradition.

FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

circuitoftheamericas.com

This Austin-based film festival celebrates the art of storytelling through film, featuring a diverse lineup of screenings, panels and workshops with industry professionals. This renowned festival offers filmmakers and movie lovers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired in the heart of Austin.

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at COTA promises thrilling high-speed action as the world's best drivers compete on a state-of-the-art track. This premier motorsport event also features live entertainment, food and fan experiences, making it a must-attend for racing enthusiasts.

MAUFRAIS

SOCIAL HOUR

TRIBEZA’S ISSUE RELEASE PARTY

TRIBEZA celebrated its latest issue with an elegant poolside party on July 9 at Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection. The event featured refreshments by Social Bird Rosé, florals by Margot Blair and runway looks styled by Saks Fifth Avenue and the Fifth Avenue Club at Commodore Perry. The evening highlighted the estate’s charm and its role in Austin’s vibrant social scene, as well as its connection to the latest issue, which featured the estate in TRIBEZA’s summer Palm Royale-inspired fashion shoot.

NEON ARMADILLO’S GRAND OPENING

Wimberley celebrated the Neon Armadillo's grand opening with founders Molly and Micah Bowen on July 5. Guests enjoyed food from Neon Armadillo and Chef Adam Puskorius, Jaclynn Renee Wines and live music by Tate Mayeux. The event featured armadillo races, a Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott pop-up and shopping at the new Junk Gypsy store.

ZILKER SUMMER MUSICAL: LEGALLY BLONDE

Zilker Theatre Productions celebrated its 65th anniversary with Legally Blonde the Musical. On July 19, TRIBEZA hosted a VIP tent with goodies by Drip Drop hydration, Whole Foods and Tea Bird’s canned cocktails. Guests, dressed in hot pink, enjoyed a warm, exciting evening celebrating art and community.

ISSUE RELEASE PARTY: 1. Naureen Free, Stephene Bloom & Kelly Sellers 2. Heidi Okla & Ashley Nelson 3. Andrew Wilson, Terri Najmolhoda & Sara Boakye 4. Meredith Despain & Allison Gibson 5. Dr. Baraah Attal, Amanda Nelson & Erica Balbay 6 Alesia Lani 7. Bertrand & Ashley Sosa, Lauren & Roy Sosa NEON ARMADILLO GRAND OPENING: 8. Brent Hamilton, Kelli Hamilton, Molly Bowen, Lindsey Harvey, Hunter Johnson, Jeffrey Parmer & Lindsay Parmer 11. Aaron, Craig & Daniel Charbonnet

ZILKER MUSICAL: 9. Melissa Reidhead 10. Krissy Littlestar Hearn & Kat Cotroneo

SOCIAL HOUR

THE AGENCY AUSTIN OPEN HOUSE

Austin real estate leaders previewed 2712 Maria Anna, a luxurious 6,635-square-foot Tarrytown residence listed at $8,950,000 from developer, designer and The Agency Austin agent Jerry Hooker on June 20. Mauricio Umansky, founder and CEO of The Agency and star of Netflix’s “Buying Beverly Hills,” attended, welcoming guests and signing his book, "The Dealmaker: How to Succeed in Business & Life Through Dedication, Determination & Disruption."

BATTLE OF THE BRANDS

The annual Battle of the Brands, hosted by Dumb Love in partnership with Wonderkind at Eastside Paddle Club, featured eight beloved local brands competing in a friendly pickleball tournament on July 17. LALO Tequila, Holiday on 7th, Dumb Love, Good Word, Rambler, Poncho Outdoors and Lick vied for the coveted trophy. The event included a relaxation station, brand activations, pop-up shops and snacks from various sponsors.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS VIP EVENT

Local nonprofit Red River Cultural District hosted the Hot Summer Nights Hoedown on July 18 to kick off their annual free summer music festival. Partners from Downtown Austin Alliance, Future Front Texas and Waterloo Greenway, among dozens of other community stakeholders joined the celebration before enjoying 140+ bands across 14+ venues over three nights.

THE AGENCY OPEN HOUSE: 1. Alejandro Ruelas, Ana Ruelas, Hayden Graham & Gavin Graham 2. Jaimie & Vivek Anand 3. Kyler Elrod & Morgan Grim BATTLE OF THE BRANDS: 4. Jose Martinez & Jon Sowers 5. David Douglass, Shayda Torabi & Jasmine Paterson 6. Rosee Qualls & Gabby Phi 8. Thurman & Torrence Thomas HOT SUMMER NIGHTS: 7. Stephanie Bergara & Jose Najar 9. Samantha Lenz, Alyssa Hart, Jane Claire Hervey & Vanessa Olson

RENOVATING RAMSHACKLE

THIS STUNNING HOME FEATURES SURPRISING TWISTS AND TURNS AS IT BLENDS THE OLD WITH THE NEW

PHOTO BY ADAM TALIANCHICH

by EMILY POTTS

photographs by ROBERT GOMEZ

WWhen Austinite Adam Morgan bought a historic home built in 1883, little did he know his new neighbors would end up making this house his dream home.

Ashley Menger and Adam Talianchich, founders of the Hatch Works Design-Build team, happened to live next door to Morgan’s new property that is included on the National Register of Historic Places. When Morgan showed Menger and Talianchich the original plans that came with his 140-year-old home, they assured Morgan that they were just the team to help him blend the old with the new and bring his home into the 21st century. All they had to do was pick up the house, move it to the back of the lot, dig a new basement, and place the house back on top. Easy enough, right?

“The Ramshackle house is actually very reminiscent of many of the old houses found on historic Rainey Street,” says Morgan. “From the way the windows are spaced out to the floorplan, there are many similarities. This really guided the renovation. It was focused on what we could keep and what we could replace to honor the old past of the house.”

Much to the delight of the Hatch Works team, including its dynamic project manager Dan Taylor, the original house was well built despite its rundownlooking exterior. Hence, the name “the Ramshackle house” took hold.

“The home was covered in vinyl siding and humble in its origins, so many people just told us to tear it down, but we knew there was value there,” explains Menger. “It looks small from the street so you don’t realize how big it is, but that’s something I love about it. It unfolds as you walk through it. I love seeing the look of surprise on people as they walk in. It may seem like a tiny cottage, but it gets more expansive, and then they have this ‘Aha’ moment when they see the iconic glass barrier we created between the old and new house.”

The team started the project in 2020 and broke ground in 2021. The main house is now

4,531 square feet, with an additional 1,429 square feet found in the garage and apartment. With five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms, this home isn’t the tiny cottage it once was. Plus, with the addition of a pool, basement, high-end AV system, custom windows and staircase, fireplaces, human bar, dog bar, custom cabinetry, which is now run on 100% solar energy with battery backup, this home has all the modern amenities an Austinite could dream of.

The Hatch Works team worked diligently to capture the vintage aesthetic and identity of the home, maintaining its 140-year integrity all the

way down to its lighting, old knobs, tall ceilings and reclaimed wood baseboards.

“The further you go back in the home, the more modern you get,” says Talianchich. “But, nothing strays too far from the home’s origin. It’s understated elegance, if you will. There’s nothing terribly showy, but when you stop and take a minute to really look, you see the home’s craftsmanship.”

The Hatch Works team likes to say they infused a little bit of whimsy everywhere throughout the home, including a rolling ladder, dropdown murphy bed, funky green tile, secret toilet paper component and a window in the pool.

“Each room has something unexpected that you wouldn’t see,” says Menger. “There are surprises from the minute you come in the door. It’s a house with lots of layers, and more twists and turns.”

“The Hatch Works team was the perfect group to expertly blend the old with the new in this special home,” said Menger.

And, the feeling was mutual between Menger and the Hatch Works team.

“We had lots of freedom from Adam when it came to design,” said Talianchich. “He directed, but wasn’t prescriptive. We worked extremely well together.”

The collaboration, partnership and dedication paid off – the renovated Ramshackle house is truly one-of-a-kind.

Fonda San Miguel Prepares for the Next 50 Years

NEW CAFE IN HIGH DESIGN TO OPEN NEXT DOOR

By Christina Garcia

BY NOW, FONDA SAN MIGUEL HAS MORE THAN EARNED ITS reputation as an impeccable purveyor of traditional interior Mexican cuisine, securing glowing reviews from a broad swathe of food lovers. Even Elon Musk, the controversial tech titan, called the restaurant his favorite for Mexican food in a 2022 interview with The Financial Times. “Enough about Elon Musk,” said Fonda owner Tom Gilliland, adamant about giving every patron the respect of privacy. There was also the late British food writer Diana Kennedy, a once ardent and devoted presence at Fonda San Miguel, who had strong opinions on how to keep the menu as authentic as possible. For example, chips and

Photo by Hayden Walker

salsa at the table would be Tex-Mex, not Mexican, so Kennedy was not a fan. Gilliland admired Kennedy and her valuable guidance, he told us in one of many asides about the long history he’s lived as an apostle of Mexican food.

A respectable collection of lists, too, praises the beauty of Fonda San Miguel’s hacienda-style dining room, alongside the immense depth of flavor in the many meals prepared according to traditions passed down by generations of home cooks. Founding Chef Miguel Ravago, inspired by his grandmother’s cooking, helped

bring those flavors to life for decades before he passed away in 2017. Though he’s physically absent, Gilliland holds that Ravago remains an important presence. Beneath Ravago’s portrait in the Fonda San Miguel dining room, Gilliland said he can still hear him speak. “That’s why I have my coffee here,” he said. Gilliland can hear Diana Kennedy too, he told us, and carries those conversations, formed from the memories of the two dear friends he knew so well for so long, into the future.

As Fonda San Miguel nears its golden

anniversary — turning 50 in 2025 — Gilliland plans to open a new restaurant next door.

“The challenge is not to throw the baby out with the bath water,” explained Gilliland, referring to ensuring his long-time loyal patrons feel as welcome as the younger people walking through the doors at Fonda San Miguel. In a way, the new restaurant will be the bridge from tradition to modernity. To build it, he’s brought in Miró Rivera Architecture, one of the most critically acclaimed firms in Austin.

Miró Rivera Architecture & Tzintzuntzan

As a patron of the arts, Gilliland proudly showcases his own art collection inside Fonda San Miguel, filling it almost to overflow. In a way, it was art that spurred him to create a new restaurant. For the better part of two decades, he owned the land next to Fonda San Miguel, mining only its parking lot for patron use. That changed when Miró Rivera Architecture expressed interest in transforming the lot’s defunct washateria. With the renowned firm on board, a coup for Gilliland, he decided the time was right to transform the unused grounds. He’d previously imagined opening an art gallery, and then a late night bar instead, but the world class firm stepped in when the vision of a new restaurant was taking root.

Led by Miguel Rivera and Juan Miró, Miró Rivera’s designers focus on contemporary buildings that honor the essence of their purpose, while thoughtfully and carefully shaping space with an eye for aesthetic detail. Striking designs include structures with footprints as humble as The Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail bathrooms, for which they won multiple design awards, and as imposing as Circuit of the Americas’ observation tower, main grandstand and amphitheater.

Currently, the architects are adding onto Austin’s Mexican American Cultural Center, completing Teodoro González de León’s original

Chef Natalie Gazaui, formerly of Bacalar and Comedor, will lead the kitchen at Tzintzuntzan.

Photo by Natalie Gazaui

Rendering courtesy of Miró Rivera Architecture

vision. Other existing projects include the conversion of a former East Austin church into another cultural center, with inspirations from sacred indigenous kivas incorporated. Juan Miró’s efforts to help ban windowless bedrooms have also made headlines recently, underscoring his people-first approach to architecture. As a center of human interaction, Miro’s work adds meaning to attractive buildings.

“A memorable space that is connected to a communal activity is one of the best things that humans can do because it's where we feel connection,” said Miró. “People need those spaces to come together,”

Miró Rivera will design a distinct courtyard and dining room with the look of a modern Mexican restaurant next to Fonda San Miguel. To be called Tzintzuntzan, which is pronounced

Tom Gilliland reviews plans for the new cafe with Juan Miró and Kenneth Jones of Miró Rivera Architecture

RIGHT

The original Fonda San Miguel

LEFT

Juan Miró & Tom Gilliland

Photo by Julia Zeddies

Bottom and Left

Photos by Hayden Walker

zin-zoon-zahn and means “place of the hummingbirds,” the restaurant will only be open for breakfast and lunch, complementing the dinner-only service next door.

Miró noted that “a sense of porosity and permeability” should arise from Tzintzuntzan’s open-air courtyard. The team plans for the space to “convey timelessness” and connection with Mexico through “a country of courtyards,” explained Miró. Tezontle, a Mexican volcanic stone, will be used throughout Tzintzuntzan, and sculptures, some chosen by Gilliland on a trip to London’s Chelsea Flower Show, will bedeck the grounds. Fountains in slate and metal will add an element of water to the courtyards, while harkening to the chinampas of Central Mexico. Other earthy sculptural adornments may include carved molcajetes sourced by Gilliland in Mexico.

Art of Interior Mexican Cooking

Expect “some familiar items, but a lot of new things that haven’t been really introduced or seen in Austin yet,” shared Gilliland regarding Tzintzuntzan. He added that it will remain “absolutely authentic” and use the highest quality ingredients.

Chef Natalie Gazaui, formerly of Bacalar and Comedor, will lead the kitchen at Tzintzuntzan. A one-time intern for Fonda San Miguel, Gazaui is the restaurant’s current Executive Pastry Chef. For the new destination, Gazaui will create a panaderia and unique ice cream menu in addition to offering savory interior Mexican entrees. Having traveled to Merida, Yucatan and Mexico City on R&D trips for the endeavor, Gazaui has inspiration to spare, and Gilliland sings her praises.

In a way, the new restaurant wIll be the brIdge from tradItIon to modernIty. ” “

Currently slated to open in early 2025, Tzintzuntzan hopes to thrill new eaters with tradition. As a further celebration of their 50 year anniversary, Gilliland shared that a new cookbook is in the works. Fonda San Miguel has published two books previously, including 30th and 40th anniversary books. This latest will include recipes developed and served at the restaurant since the restaurant’s 40th anniversary, with entries from Gazaui included.

“It’s going to be pretty spectacular,” said Gilliland, as he looks forward to the next 50 years as intensely as he remembers the previous.

Miró noted that “a sense of porosity and permeability” should arise from Tzintzuntzan’s open-air courtyard

Renderings courtesy of Miró Rivera Architecture

ELEGANCE & TIMELESSNESS at KASSARINE PASS

EXPANSIVE VIEWS & NATURAL LIGHT PREVAIL IN THIS BARTON HILLS MODERN MARVEL

BY Emily Potts

PHOTOS BY Casey Dunn

In the rugged topography of Barton Hills sits the Kassarine Pass residence. From the outside, the home presents as subdued with a low profile and rectangular shape, but, when you step inside, you quickly realize this home is actually quite extraordinary.

In 2019, Brent Fannin, owner and builder of FIA Homes, purchased the home’s land. FIA Homes is a boutique builder and developer that specializes in high-end, custom residential projects. Occasionally, Fannin will take on a spec building project that follows the same vein — a custom house built for a client who doesn't want to spend more than three years designing the build and engaging in the lengthy, time-consuming process themselves.

“Lots of clients want to go through the custom

process, but don't have the time because of their jobs or other commitments,” said Fannin. “Building a custom house is extremely involved. If we build a spec house at a custom level, there's a buyer pool out there who is interested in it. Just like any of our homes, whenever we’re building a house, the bottom line isn’t the 100% driver of the project. Our decisions are quality-driven, such as the mechanical systems or the detailing like the architecture or the landscaping, and we focus on creating a very high-quality home.”

Barton Hills has always had a soft spot in Fannin’s heart as it was the neighborhood of his first home when he moved to Austin in the early 2000s. He has continued to invest in the area while building custom homes throughout the region. When the opportunity arose to buy this lot, he jumped at the chance.

Fannin and his partners, including Mark Odom, architect and founding principal of Mark Odom Studio, and interior designer Ruby Cloutier, spent a year in the design and permitting phase, primarily thanks to the pandemic, before they broke ground in 2022. Today, the house is ready for its new residents.

“The journey of the house starts at the street,” said Fannin. “The vision for the house is for it to feel subdued, despite its elevation, and not reveal its whole beauty right away, but then, as you come over the bridge and enter the home, you start to see the details. The home opens itself up to expansive spaces and views with lots of natural light.”

Cloutier agrees that it’s all in the high-quality details when it comes to Kassarine Pass.

“Among the many stunning spaces in the home, the primary bathroom stands out as my favorite,” said Cloutier. “Discovering an exquisite natural quartzite from a quarry in Brazil was a magical experience, and its incorporation into the design adds a calming ambiance to the room. The unique beauty of the stone elevates the space, creating a tranquil retreat that is unparalleled.”

In true Austin fashion, the Kassarine Pass residence blends its inside and outside aesthetics, from its color palettes to its wood products all the way

down to pre-weathering agents that help maintain its coloring. The home integrates with its surrounding oak trees and sits low on the lot, literally dug into the hillside, while still providing unparalleled views of downtown Austin. It spills out into a sprawling backyard that is not only made to entertain, but also provides room to reflect, meditate and escape the urban hustle.

The home’s spot among nature and the trees is one of its most redeeming qualities, according to Odom.

“We had to find a unique way to put this high-end home on a steeply sloped lot, and that was a challenge,” said Odom. “Essentially, we did not want to put a shiny trophy on a hill, we wanted the home to blend into the neighborhood and its surroundings. And we had to ask ourselves — what is the experience? What is the element of surprise? You’re constantly faced with a stop and pause throughout this home, and you get an unveiling of an element of surprise.”

Fannin, Odom and Cloutier all say the ideal Kassarine Pass resident is anyone as its floor plan works well for people of all stages, including multigenerational living.

“Kassarine Pass is a lifestyle-oriented home,” said Odom. “It’s a very classic, timeless home that’s amazing throughout many different times of the day. The shadows and lights at various times capture the videos of the city and sunset differently, and this is reflective of how we live. We migrate, we don’t stay still. We have an active mind that loves to maneuver around the home and use

every piece of it. This home never disappoints, no matter where you’re sitting.”

Fannin agrees with Odom.

“The house is elegant, beautiful, refined,” said Fannin. “It’s an art piece, but it lives very comfortably, which was an important factor for me. We build works of art, but I don’t want them to be sterile. I want you to be able to kick your shoes off and get comfortable. It’s a balance between art and livability.”

Cloutier believes that balance is what makes this home so unique for its next residents.

“I believe the future residents will truly appreciate the meticulous architecture, the exceptional craftsmanship, and the thoughtful design of this home,” said Cloutier. “Of course, the breathtaking views are the icing on the cake, creating a living experience that is both beautiful and inspiring.”

Kassarine Pass is sure to be an icon of Austin architecture for decades to come, and, for Fannin, that’s the true test.

“It’s easy to make a house pretty, but can you make a house last?” asks Fannin. “That’s the question.”

“What we’ve all made here is a sustainable home, one that will stand the course of time because of the care we all took with the materials, quality and care of detail,” said Odom. “Everything was carefully considered with the end user and their wellness in mind. This home is designed for the next 100 years.”

FALLING FOR LOCAL LOOKS

OUR SHOPPING PICKS OF THE SEASON SPOTLIGHT THESE FOUR FABULOUS LOCAL FASHION AND ACCESSORY LINES

The stunning small-batch handmade jackets and caps from Molyan are inspired by the landscapes of Far West Texas. Founder Molly Dery originally hails from El Paso, where vibrant sunrises and sunsets sparked her creativity. Life on the border provided beautiful, natural color combinations in the desert and gorgeous skies, which can be seen in the rich colors of the Molyan line’s stitching. Dery’s collection includes exclusives created for Hotel Saint Cecilia, among other collabs, as well as a new line of gorgeous indigo-dyed jackets. Look for Molyan at many pop-up shopping experiences this fall. molyan.com

By Cassie Butterfield & Heidi Okla

CITY BOOTS

When CITY Boots founder Lizzy Bently opened her first Austin retail showroom over the summer, the popular Texas-based boot company unveiled a collection of handmade boots that pay homage to our city’s unique and vibrant culture. A fantastic addition to any fall wardrobe, the distinctly Western collection of boots features three exclusive designs with a sleek silhouette: The Guadalupe, The Rainey and The Congress. All embody the spirit of Austin’s modern cowgirl. cityboots.com

TRAFFORD WATCH CO.

Trafford Watch Co., founded by Nathan Trafford, is an Austin-based brand known for its meticulously crafted, functional and stunningly designed timepieces that offer exceptional quality without breaking the bank. Each watch is designed by hand, and each launch is limited edition, ensuring every piece is perfect for watch connoisseurs or as a special gift. traffordwatchco.com

VADA

Established in 2013 by Katie Caplener, VADA is an independent, woman-owned brand based in Austin. Renowned for its handcrafted fine jewelry and instantly-iconic eyewear, VADA combines tradition and innovation to produce fine jewelry in Austin and eyewear in Tokyo, ensuring exquisite craftsmanship in every piece. Musician Leon Bridges teamed up with VADA to create two custom eyewear styles, EARTHA and LEON, featuring 18K gold-plated hardware and distinctive colors. VADA’s collections are timeless, blending vintage charm with modern flair to make each piece a future heirloom. vadajewelry.com

WHERE COWBOYS & ART COLLECTORS CONVERGE

by Heidi Okla

Centered in the buzzed-about Fort Worth Cultural District, Bowie House seamlessly blends the charm of the New West with contemporary elegance

ADVENTURE TO FORT WORTH, TEXAS TO find the rugged allure of western cowboy culture set among opulent modern luxury at the award-winning Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection. While Auberge properties are already known for their top tier accommodations, this particular hotel is enhanced by the spirit of owner Jo Ellard. A Dallas businesswoman and championship horse breeder, Ellard is also an avid art collector who exhibits her impeccable personal curation of world class fine

art on the walls of Bowie House. With Ellard’s elevated taste woven throughout the 106-room boutique hotel, this is a unique and inviting space for a tired cowboy to hang his hat, or an art enthusiast seeking an interlude between museum tours.

The hotel’s notable collection, referred to as The Gallery at Bowie House, features nearly 500 masterpieces on view. The majority of the pieces are for sale, and new works are added on a rotating basis. The collection includes stunning works

by artists such as Max Zorn, Thandiwe Muriu, Ingrid Dee Magidson, Steve Wrubel, Marco Grassi and other world-class artists. Guests are invited to learn more about these works during tours, which are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays or by appointment.

In the planning of Bowie House, Ellard worked closely with Dallas-based interior design and architecture firm, BOKA Powell. The interior boasts a mix of rustic wooden accents, rich leather furnishings, rock crystal chandeliers,

cowhides, tapestries and painted longhorn mounts. Equestrian themes are strongly represented, but playful pops of modern art add color and whimsy throughout the hotel’s nooks and corners. The design sets the stage for an unforgettable stay, where every detail is infused with a touch of Texas glamour.

Of course, the art collection is only one aspect to the hotel’s numerous amenities. Step into the cool, cavernous, barn-like space at Ash Spa to enjoy a signature massage, infrared therapy or a custom facial. Enjoy a meal at the hotel’s sophisticated restaurant, Bricks and Horses, where

locally-sourced meat is the star of the show, and hearty dishes with fresh Texas produce round out a fabulous dinner. Sip a cold Ranch Water by the pool, play a game of mahjong in the Billet Room, and book one of the hotel’s many custom experiences — such as picnics at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, golf at Glen Garden Country Club at TX Whiskey Ranch, personal styling with The Fifth Avenue Club and trail rides at Benbrook Stables, among other special opportunities.

Nearby, you can dive into the city’s rich cultural heritage. With the historic Stockyards just a short drive away, and institutions such as the Kimbell

Museum, the Modern Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art within walking distance, Bowie House is nestled in a perfect location to take in the best of the city’s popular attractions that showcase Fort Worth’s fusion of styles.

Whether you are seeking a taste of Texas culture, a dive into the vibrant art scene, or the ultimate relaxation experience, Bowie House promises an unforgettable escape where cowboys and art collectors can harmoniously unite.

BY LIZ HARROUN PHOTOS BY RYANN FORD

SURGICAL PRECISION MEETS ARCHITECTURAL VISION

POWERHOUSE COUPLE WORKS WITH DYNAMIC TEAM TO BUILD THEIR DREAM HOME IN NORTHWEST AUSTIN

The journey began at a dinner party in 2018, when Ashley Gordon and her husband, Vincent Cavaretta, were informed of a rare real estate opportunity — a vacant lot in Northwest Austin with panoramic views of the Bright Leaf Preserve and Austin’s iconic 360 Bridge. With knowledge of the lot’s value, the couple made an offer the following day, launching a multi-year endeavor to create their dream home.

Gordon is a prominent plastic surgeon in town, and Cavaretta is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

“The running joke is that we both do implants,” says Gordon. “I do breast implants, and he does dental implants. I think it's why we are so obsessed with design because our brains and eyes catch every little detail of everything we see.”

Cavaretta was most excited about the view, while Gordon was primarily focused on the creative endeavor of building a new home. Brian Dillard, a friend and architect, wanted to leverage the expansive views and create spaces that would seamlessly merge with the natural surroundings. This vision became the cornerstone of the design process, aiming to integrate the indoors with the outdoors through extensive glass expanses and thoughtfully positioned living spaces.

Having previously worked together on their Tarrytown residence, Gordon appreciated Dillard’s intuitive understanding of their lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. He knew exactly what they needed — a functional kitchen that could serve as a focal point, an office to inspire creativity, and ample space for their art collections.

At the same time, Gordon’s keen eye for design and passion for aesthetics guided many decisions. The design team aimed for simplicity and balance to allow the materials to shine. The home features a palette of tactile, artisanal materials like integral color stucco, handcrafted brick, and precast terrazzo tiles, accentuating clean lines and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The construction process, which lasted from September 2020 to September 2023, encountered its share of challenges, including the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which brought unforeseen delays, but also reinforced their decision to work with Jason Miars at Miars Construction, whose integrity and dedication ensured a smooth process despite the circumstances.

“ EVERY NIGHT IS LIKE LIVING IN A MONET PAINTING ”

The assembled team not only managed the logistical hurdles, but also embraced Gordon’s hands-on approach to interior design. She and Dillard traveled around the country together, looking at cabinetry, furniture and other elements to complete the interior.

“Every night is like living in a Monet painting,” says Gordon.

The home and surrounding area feel like the older Austin the couple knows and loves, filled with character and majestic live oak trees. It's a neighborhood where each home tells a unique story.

As Gordon and Cavaretta settle into their new abode, they have found joy in knowing that every element of their home reflects their passions and accommodates their lifestyle. Through Dillard’s architectural prowess and Gordon’s personal touch, every aspect of the residence intertwines to create a sanctuary that celebrates the art of living well.

Luxury Without Limits

AUSTIN

CITY LIMITS MUSIC

FESTIVAL RAISES THE BAR & REDEFINES THE VIP EXPERIENCE

By Sabrina Macias

With nearly half a million attendees flocking to Austin City Limits Music Festival each year, and more than 140 artists showcasing the best of all major music genres, this festival is a cornerstone of the music scene and a beloved event for the community.

Since its launch in 2002, ACL Festival has seen remarkable changes. Originally a one-weekend event, the festival has expanded to two threeday weekends to accommodate the increasing number of fans. In the early days, a one-day pass cost just $25, granting access to a modest park. However, as the festival’s popularity grew, so did the scale of the event.

RELAX, RECHARGE, AND REFUEL

In 2019, the festival introduced tiered ticketing with GA+, which provides access to private lounges, air-conditioned restrooms and

full-service bars. Building on this success, the ACL Festival now offers five luxury experiences: GA+, VIP, Platinum, Y’all Access, the Cabana Experience, and the newly introduced Exclusive Bungalows.

“We are constantly looking for ways to introduce new experiences for our fans,” explains Stacey Rodrigues, revenue director of C3 Presents. “From the inception of ACL Festival, the VIP experience has been for the fan who is passionate about live music but also craves an opportunity to step away from the crowd to relax, recharge and refuel between acts.”

BRAND-NEW BUNGALOWS

With these ongoing innovations, luxury has become limitless at ACL Festival.

“While the Cabanas have been a big hit, we had numerous requests for a more intimate

PHOTOS BY ANDREA ESCOBAR

entertaining space,” says Rodrigues.

Designed to provide just that, these 18 new bungalows accommodate up to 10 guests and feature full VIP access, including air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary WiFi and entry to exclusive viewing decks and groves for lounging and dining.

These features are located above the festival grounds rather than amidst the action, with panoramic views of the Austin city skyline and a great perch to watch acts on the Honda Stage. As Rodrigues explains, “The beauty of the cabanas and bungalows is that we are able to go up rather than out. By building on top of existing structures, we don’t impact the footprint for the general admission fans.”

TV screens will keep the excitement going by broadcasting live festival stages and top sports games, so attendees won't miss a moment when they're away from the crowd. Bungalow ticket holders can enjoy a private bar with complimentary all-day drinks, grab-and-go snacks and a dedicated staff on hand to cater to any festival needs.

Pricing for this VIP package starts at $30,000, covering 10 three-day Bungalow wristbands valued at $3,000 each, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Austin Parks Foundation.

ALWAYS IMPROVING

ACL Festival is ever-evolving, similar to the city that surrounds it. Each year offers a fresh experience, and no two visits are the same. This constant evolution keeps the festival exciting for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. By blending innovation and maintaining key elements, ACL not only celebrates live music, but also captures the essence of Austin, making it a distinctive and vital part of the city’s cultural fabric.

Austin’s 2024 HOME DESIGN GUIDE

This 2024 Home Design Guide can help you navigate all the varied ways to imagine, create and cultivate a home you love as an escape and oasis. These local businesses are here to curate spaces that feel uniquely yours, in a way that pays homage to our city and the small businesses that make Austin such a special place to call home.

ADLASTUDIO.COM @ADLASTUDIO DESIGN GUIDE

ADLA STUDIO

ADLA Studio’s core principle is rooted in fostering deeper connections between people and the outdoors. ADLA Studio is a landscape architecture and construction firm that merges horticultural knowledge, technical building skill, and fine art sensibilities to create site-specific gardens.

OLSON | DEFENDORF CUSTOM HOMES

Founded in 2007, Olson Defendorf Custom Homes is a one-of-a-kind builder for one-of-a-kind homes. Named the 2016 and 2024 Custom Builder of the Year, the firm is known for building architect designed, bespoke homes throughout Austin. The firm is based on two simple principles - outstanding quality and superior service. Following these principles, the firm’s founders Troy Defendorf and Eric Olson built an award winning, referral-based home building company in a few short years with most referrals coming from clients’ Realtor, Architect, and friends who were former clients. From estate homes to remodeling to pools and more, this firm can do it all.

ANN SACKS

For over four decades, Ann Sacks has become synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation in the world of tile and stone. Searching the globe for the finest natural materials, the brand has meticulously crafted an extensive portfolio that embodies timeless sophistication, redefining the very essence of home. From its beginnings in Portland, Oregon, what began as a modest venture into tiles now includes slabs, stone furniture, fireplaces, baths and home accessories. Its exclusive Savoy collection is the perfect complement to any home, adapting to different styles and rooms, inside and out. The diverse range of formats paired with the unique glazes creates an organic, textural depth when installed, revealing the artisanal nature of the tile.

ANNSACKS.KOHLER.COM @ANNSACKS

DALGLEISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

With more than 40 years of experience, Dalgleish Construction Company is a custom residential builder specializing in high-end home construction and remodeling. With a reputation for old world craftsmanship, fine home construction and unique residential additions, Dalgleish is recognized for its work with the best architects and interior designers in Central Texas. From the initial planning stages to final touches, Dalgleish offers a level of quality and detail that is seldom seen in the residential homebuilding industry. Working with some of the top industry partners in the nation, the firm offers a wealth of experience in both residential waterfront construction as well as ranch development, building some of Texas’ most memorable and enduring homes. DALGLEISH.NET @DALGLEISH_CONSTRUCTION

WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY

West Chelsea Contemporary (WCC) is much more than the typical art gallery. Offering world-class art in a dynamic, interactive setting. WCC produces museum-quality exhibitions year-round with programming that is free and open to the public. WCC’s collection includes artists influential to Pop Art, Street Art, Graffiti, Post-Graffiti and contemporary art, as well as other tastemakers. With a local, national, and international roster of represented artists, WCC situates artwork from the primary market alongside a highly curated selection of pieces from the secondary market. This novel display of represented, emerging and mid-career artists alongside Blue Chip masters increases each artist’s exposure and serves to make connections between their work.

WCC.ART

@WCC.ART

PICTURED ARTWORK BY BLEK LE RAT, PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY

CUPPETT KILPATRICK ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN

From architecture to interior design, the multiple award-winning Cuppett Kilpatrick Architecture + Interior Design shares a vision which reflects each of its client’s unique personalities and programmatic goals. For over two decades, the firm has delighted in playing with traditional forms, from inglenooks and porches to the appointment of fixtures and furnishings in the creation of contemporary, cohesive environments which nurture daily life. The result is a diverse body of work which displays a synergy between architectural detailing and interior finesse. Cuppett and Kilpatrick themselves engage on each project from the first pencil stroke to the selection and installation of the final interior elements. Their work appeals to both modernists and traditionalists alike.

PHOTO BY LEONID FURMANSKY

WEBBER + STUDIO

Celebrating 25 years of innovation, Webber + Studio has consistently created exceptional residential architecture in Austin. Their award-winning team brings clients’ visions to life through an innovative blend of timeless design, sustainability, and function. They believe in designing homes that are both unique and inevitable. Webber+Studio's core values guide their work: creating functional spaces despite constraints, expressing bold design elements, fostering regional connections, and embracing minimalism to let the essence of the space shine. Each project is a testament to their commitment to these principles. Discover their portfolio and the stories behind their creations. Build something extraordinary.

BAY HILL DESIGN

Bay Hill Design is a full-service interior design studio and home store in the heart of Westlake. Their design studio offers tile, lighting, carpet, rugs, wallpaper, window coverings and fabric. Whether starting a home remodel or a new construction project, Bay Hill Design should be your first stop. Stop by their home store to peruse exquisite home décor, including art, antiques, upholstery, bedding, custom pillows, tabletop, accessories and more.

The team also offers construction management services to help streamline an otherwise complicated process for clients, assembling a team of the industry’s best craftsmen. Come see Brooke and Scott Anderson and their team for all of your home needs.

PHOTO BY MARGUERITE MARCELLA

THE PANKONIEN GROUP

The Pankonien Group is a full-service interior design firm known for designing classic interiors, infusing modern touches of color and texture. Principal designer, Laura Pankonien, has been designing homes since 2004 with projects crossing multiple states. And, it's not just primary residences that have experienced Pankonien's magic. Many vacation homes, from Lake Austin to coastal New Jersey to Alys Beach, have felt her touch. She has been featured in a variety of notable national publications including House Beautiful, Austin Home, Southern Living, and Better Homes & Gardens.

PHOTO BY AVERY NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN ECOLOGY

Design Ecology is an award-winning landscape architecture and luxury pool construction firm creating some of the most swoonworthy spaces across ATX. If there’s one thing you need in Austin to help beat the heat, it’s a pool. Design Ecology’s energetic studio is home to a creative team of professionals who are passionate about design and craftsmanship. Specializing in estate master-planning, custom swimming pools, and unique watershapes, Design Ecology offers a full range of residential and commercial landscape architectural design and construction services. They custom-tailor each project to create thoughtful and sustainable spaces that exceed client expectations. Take one look at their website or Instagram and you’ll be swimming in backyard envy.

SUZANNA SANTOSTEFANO DESIGN

Suzanna Santostefano Design’s mission is to create functional, unique, and beautiful spaces that genuinely feel like home and bring joy for years to come. Dedicated to designing homes that feel like nurturing sanctuaries, Suzanna collaborates closely with each client, taking the time to understand their unique vision and lifestyle. With a keen eye for spatial dynamics, she optimizes every inch of space, ensuring every design element is seamlessly integrated. Her meticulous attention to detail shines, from the initial concept to the final installation, including material selection and contractor coordination. The studio specializes in new builds, full home renovations, and boutique business design, always maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and detail.

PHOTOS BY LINDSAY BROWN

STUDIO CELESTE

Founded in 2017 and led by Celeste Aguirre, a graduate of world renowned universities in Latin America and Spain, Studio Celeste blends cultural richness with an emphasis on minimalistic elegance, offering emotionally impactful designs. The Studio’s passionate team combines local expertise with a deep understanding of modern aesthetics, ensuring each project reflects their clients’ unique lifestyle and vision. Studio Celeste transforms spaces into personalized sanctuaries that inspire and delight. The Studio elevates residential living across Austin with creativity, precision, and a commitment to excellence that is simply unmatched, regardless of your style or aesthetic. The Studio’s social media pages are endless inspiration and an escape into design bliss.

STUDIOCELESTE.COM @_STUDIOCELESTE_

ATLANTIS ARCHITECTS

Atlantis Architects designs homes for people who care deeply about their environment. Using sound building practices, local materials, and skilled craftsmen, each house responds to its site, its budget and most importantly, its owners.

Founder Derek Barcinski emphasizes that "Our houses look like their owners, not their architect." The beauty and joy in each project comes from their clients who have inspired them for twenty years to try new things each day.

DB@ATLANTISARCHITECT.COM 512-452-7800

BELOW PHOTO BY DEREK BARCINSKI

NEW NATIVE GARDENS

When it comes to bringing a home to life with plants, traditional inground landscaping is no longer the only option. New Native Gardens, a local and family-owned business, specializes in expertly crafted container plantings for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Following all new installations, New Native Gardens' Client Care team offers a range of services to ensure clients’ plant designs continue to thrive. They can provide weekly maintenance, seasonal refreshes, and expert guidance for any plant or container-related needs, ensuring every space remains vibrant and well-cared for year-round. Whether clients are moving into a new house, redecorating or preparing for a special event, New Native Gardens adds the perfect finishing touch with beautifully designed container plantings.

CAMERON GETTER DESIGN

Cameron Getter Design (CGD) is a full service interior design studio that creates spaces that seamlessly marry form and function with a personalized touch. Specializing in residential design, including new builds, home remodeling, and full furnishings, CGD collaborates with architects, builders and artisans to thoughtfully ensure every design detail is considered. They approach each project with purposeful intention, integrating natural materials and a rich blend of textures to create beautiful, customized spaces.

CAMERONGETTERDESIGN.COM/

@CAMERONGETTERDESIGN

URBANSPACE DESIGN STUDIO

Urbanspace Design Studio was born out of a passion to help Urbanspace’s real estate clients not only find their space, but design and furnish their home with their personality in mind. Its in-house team of interior designers helps guide the design process and bring clients’ vision to life. From private residences to condominium-wide amenities, they tackle projects of any size. Its downtown showroom is filled with the best global and local modern furniture, lighting and accessories.

URBANSPACEDESIGN.COM @URBANSPACEDESIGNSTUDIO

DAVENPORT BUILDERS

Established in 2008 by Matt and Chelsy Davenport, Daven port Builders is founded on faith and integrity, believing the experience is as important as the outcome. Davenport Builders desires to facilitate harmony between the client, architect, and designer while creating beautiful, well-crafted masterpieces that will become the sacred place called home. The firm is a residential construction company that holds itself to high standards of honest business practices and treatment of everyone involved in the project. It is currently taking on projects exclusively through architect referrals. At Davenport Builders, they build the home - you build the legacy.

DAVENPORTBUILD.COM/ @DAVENPORTBUILD

PHOTOS BY CHASE DANIEL

MODERN HIPPIE DESIGN STUDIO

Modern Hippie Design Studio is a full-service residential interior design studio, founded by Austinite Heidi Houdek, that is dedicated to creating warm and inviting spaces. The studio believes your environment has the power to not only speak for you, but to also speak to you. The studio’s approach to design is one that celebrates the unique authenticity of each client.. All their designs are bespoke and created to feel inviting, while evoking a sense of warmth and familiarity.

MODERNHIPPIEDESIGNSTUDIO.COM

@MODERNHIPPIE_DESIGNSTUDIO

SPARROW INTERIORS & GIFTS

Owned by Principal Designer Elizabeth Cates, Sparrow Interiors believes every space is a canvas awaiting transformation. The design team ensures that a client's personality and style are expressed through the reimagination of their home. Each project is unique to the client, and Sparrow Interiors dedicates its work to creating spaces for exciting entertainment and comfortable relaxation. The studio accepts projects for new construction, remodels, and revamping existing spaces. The team embraces projects of all sizes and spectrums, guaranteeing a product that exceeds your expectations.

SPARROWINTERIORS.COM

@SPARROWINTERIORS

PHOTOS BY MADELINE HARPER

PHOTO BY ANDREA CALO

MCWALTERS COLLABORATIVE ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

Founded in 2009, McWalters Collaborative Architecture and Design uses one key metric of success: the delight of their clients. They have built their reputation on extensive and diverse experience, thoughtful and tailored services, and a local and international network of resources they collaborate with to execute their designs. Though they do not adhere to a specific style and no project is too small or large, their use of materials and refined architectural details are a signature of their work. They practice both architecture and design while believing there is no distinction between where one begins and the other ends. This belief is core to their practice and the seamlessness of an integrated studio results in a more efficient process for clients.

MCWALTERSCOLLABORATIVE.COM

@MCWALTERSCOLLABORATIVE

REDOVEN PROPERTY SOLUTIONS

RedOven Property Solutions is a family-owned, award-winning builder dedicated to making the custom building experience as rewarding and stress-free as possible. It leverages its extensive industry experience and relationships to offer all the necessary tools, treating its clients as true partners. The firm approaches each project as if it were their own, navigating the complexities of construction with integrity, transparency, and quality. Its attention to detail and collaborative approach ensures that each custom home it creates not only meets, but exceeds, its clients' expectations.

REDOVENPS.COM @REDOVENPS

V WOOD INTERIORS

Founded by Victoria Wood, V Wood Interiors is a prestigious design firm with offices in both Boston and Austin. It expertly manages every aspect of the design process, from concept to completion, working seamlessly with clients, architects, and builders. The team excels at creating captivating designs by prioritizing individual preferences and requirements. With a strong focus on customization, they transform spaces into aesthetically pleasing and functional environments that align with each client's distinct tastes and needs. Whether renovating a single room or overseeing a whole-house transformation, V Wood Interiors' expertise shines.

PHOTO BY SARAH WINCHESTER STUDIO

PHOTO BY RAMBLR MEDIA

ALIGN AUSTIN ARCHITECTS

ALIGN Austin Architects offers unparalleled skill and experience in luxury custom residential architecture. Founded by seasoned architects Rodney Palmer, Ranjit Gupta, and Kristin Schieffer, ALIGN Austin Architects takes immense pride and a steadfast commitment to a process that helps transform a client’s vision and dream into a reality. Every project is an opportunity to curate ideas, innovate and engage collaboratively with all stakeholders. ALIGN’s full service offering ranges from early conceptual site planning through construction administration. By engaging closely with clients and consultants, they create award-winning spaces that not only meet functional needs, but also strive to inspire and enrich the human experience.

ALIGNAUSTINARCHITECTS.COM

@ALIGNAUSTINARCHITECTS

SARAH STACEY DESIGN

Sarah Stacey Interior Design, with offices in Texas and Tennessee, specializes in creating spaces that capture both your most extraordinary moments and everyday comforts. The team brings vibrant, storied designs to life for luxury residential and boutique hospitality clients, infusing each project with color, pattern, and a deeply personal touch.

Their expertise lies in crafting environments that authentically represent you, with a keen eye for artwork, antiques, and bespoke pieces. They curate high-quality furniture and decor, ensuring that every detail—from custom window treatments to lighting and artwork—is thoughtfully managed and perfectly placed.

Whether renovating or building anew, they combine creativity and experience to design spaces that inspire, comfort, and reflect your unique vision.

SARAHSTACEYDESIGN.COM

@SARAHSTACEYINTERIORDESIGN

PHOTO BY CHASE DANIEL

by Emily Potts

photos by Madeline Harper

IIn the heart of Tarrytown on Bonnie Road sits an idyllic five bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom, 5,400-square-foot home — plus guesthouse — tastefully designed and built by Arterberry Cooke and Captex Construction for longtime Austin residents who were looking to create an oasis in the middle of the city. Featuring a soft and neutral palette, the custom home incorporates colors, textures and patterns with a feminine and romantic aesthetic. With pastel accents, curved archways and ornate details, the home offers a modern spin on vintage charm. Each room portrays its own personalities through colors, fabrics, carvings and other accessories, and the rooms perfectly coordinate to ensure consistency across the aesthetic of the entire home.

The Arterberry Cooke and Captex Construction teams worked closely together to create a home that is traditional, yet lived in, and curated to the growing family’s needs, tastes and style.

“We wanted to create a high-end look that is timeless, functional and luxurious,” says Alice Arterberry, Principal of Arterberry Cooke. “For example, we created a gleaming kitchen that has beautiful brass accents while incorporating lots of natural light and exquisite marble. This checks all the boxes.”

The project also posed a unique challenge due to the neighborhood’s mansion ordinance, which required the Arterberry Cooke and Captex Construction teams to obtain clearance for additional square footage and get creative in regards to the permitting process. This coordination and partnership was a benefit of working with Arterberry Cooke and Captex Construction as a team, which is common for the duo, who first met working on a project together in 2015. Since then, the Austin-based firms have grown side-by-side, cheering each other on in true Texan neighborly fashion, rather than engaging in stereotypical architect and builder animosity, Arterberry

“We work on most projects together,” explains Arterberry. “Our teams work hand-in-hand, facilitating projects from design through construction, which is a huge advantage for our clients. We can work quickly, get products on-site, never wait on our tradesman, troubleshoot issues on the spot and ensure a completely customized, tailored process all specific to the homeowner.”

It’s not just the interior of the Bonnie Road house that’s entirely captivating with its varied and bright color palette, textures, wallpapers and motifs, but the clean and sleek exterior stands out as well.

“The exterior of the home is predicated on being old Tarrytown,” says Captex Construction Founder and CEO Danny Spears. “From the board and batten around the windows, to the siding, to the backhouse, to the flow of the

indoor to the outdoor living space, it’s all very Austin.”

Customized backhouses have become more requested to create luxurious spaces for visitors and out-of-town guests. Plus, given the Austin heat, a pool is always a desirable amenity. The Bonnie Road house features not only a pool, but an entire backyard entertainment space with a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, dining space and more.

“The main question we had to solve with this project was how we could squeeze as much as possible into this space given the building restrictions, all within two miles from downtown,” adds Arterberry.

Consider it more than solved – consider it mastered – with good timing, too. While the owners were a family of three when the project started, they happily transformed into a family of four by the time this Bonnie beauty was completed. The perfect place to start a new adventure.

TIMELESS THREADS

BYGEORGE CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF LUXURY AND LEGACY

By JILLIAN ANTHONY

Let’s take a little trip back to 1979 in Austin, Texas. The Clash played at Armadillo World Headquarters, only a handful of skyscrapers dotted the downtown skyline, and the original ByGeorge store opened in Dobie Mall on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Forty-five years later, the luxury clothing retailer is celebrating its sapphire anniversary — in style, of course.

ByGeorge is an upscale fashion boutique with local outposts on South Congress and North Lamar, as well as in New Orleans. The store specializes in a mix of luxury pieces that stand the test of time from brands like Loewe, Ganni, Jacquemas and The Row. The shop also carries pieces from Texan designers, including jewelry designer Nak Armstrong, ready-to-wear brand High Sport and eyewear and jewelry brand Vada. In fact, Vada designer Katie Caplener used to work on the ByGeorge floor.

Former ByGeorge owner Katie Culmo, who took over ByGeorge from its original owner and namesake, George Humphrey, and built up the brand with her husband, Matthew, asked Kaplan to source vintage jewelry for the store long before she started her own high-end brand of Japanese-crafted sunglasses.

Today, ByGeorge is owned by Larry McGuire of MML Hospitality, the managing team behind Swedish Hill, Ski Shores, Clark’s Oyster Bar and other Austin institutions. About five years ago, McGuire brought Molly Nutter on as president following her extensive experience as Vice President of Retail Merchandising at Celine and VP in the Buying Department at Barneys New York. The opportunity to work for an independent brand with intimate customer relationships — and the chance to move to Austin, a city she already loved — wooed her away from decades of working in fashion in New York City.

“At the end of the day, I love the idea of a small, independent store,” says Nutter. “I really have to have an emotional response to the integrity of the product and the design, so even if it's something that doesn't speak to me personally, I feel strongly about being able to stand behind what is being put out into the world.”

Nutter says ByGeorge’s concept and appeal remains the same as it stood nearly five decades ago, and that’s why it continues to thrive.

Though ByGeorge launched e-commerce during the pandemic years, the “focus has always been on the in-store experience,” explains Nutter, and customers range from decades-long local clients to international travelers looking to mark their trip with a unique piece.

“The general direction of how we buy and what we buy hasn't changed — we buy clothes or jewelry or handbags that we feel will stand the test of time,” says Nutter. “We really avoid trends. When you come into the store, it's more to experience a place where people can buy things for their day-to-day lives that are more timeless. [Our pieces] can really be incorporated into someone's wardrobe easily and be brought out year after year.”

Think shift dresses, elevated sandals, knit pants, effortless sundresses — the casual chic Austin uniform looks cool while beating the heat.

The retail scene in Austin is changing rapidly, from the expanse of the dozens of shops and restaurants that make up The Domain to Hermès setting up a telltale orange storefront on South Congress, but ByGeorge remains, even as Austin seemingly leaps into its status as a tech capital and the 10th-largest U.S. city.

“ByGeorge is known as being one of a small handful of great, independent, multi-brand retailers. The significance of being open for 45 years is poignant, especially now,” adds Nutters. “Not everyone wants to shop at a mono-brand store or a department store. We're the brand builders, the place for customers to come and discover something new. There's always going to be a place for small, special stores like ours.”

Sophisticated Living in Barton Hills

YOUR GUIDE TO THE MEGA BACKDOOR ROTH IRA

You have lifestyle expectations. Perhaps you want to put away money for retirement or a piece of property on Lake Travis. Maybe a family safari to the Serengeti is calling your name. Whatever your financial aspirations are, a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA with Texas Capital can help you achieve and maximize these resources to achieve these goals.

WHAT IS A MEGA BACKDOOR ROTH IRA?

A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA is a strategic method for high earners to contribute to a Roth IRA even when direct contributions may not be allowed due to income limits ($161,000+ for single or head-of-household filers and $240,000+ for married couples filing jointly in 2024). This strategy allows earners to contribute after-tax-dollars to a 401k and then convert it to a Roth IRA.

There are a few stipulations, though. Your employer's 401k plan must allow after-tax contributions and it must also allow for in-service distributions. You can max out your annual pre-tax contributions at $23,000 if you’re under 50, and at $30,500 if you’re 50+ in 2024. Additional contributions, up to a total of $69,000 if under age 50 and $76,500 if over age 50, can be made with a combination of employer-matching contributions and after-tax contributions.

WHY IS A MEGA BACKDOOR ROTH IRA SO SAVVY?

This strategy is a savvy approach to diversifying your retirement income with tax-deferred and potentially tax-free options, which help to best plan for unknown tax environments down the road.

There are certain steps that must be followed in a timely and orderly process to achieve this strategy. The Texas Capital team is there to help its clients every step of the way, no matter your current financial situation.

A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA could be a smart decision for high income earners. Schedule an appointment with a Texas Capital private client advisor to learn more and other strategies to achieve your financial goals.

COFFEE, COMMUNITY & VINO

HOW ONE AUSTIN COUPLE CREATED THEIR IDEAL NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT

IN MAY 2023, husbands Chris Nagelhout and Grant Richardson realized their retirement dreams very early by opening The Violet Crown Wine Bar & Coffee Shop as young professionals. With a sustainably-sourced natural wine selection, organic coffee menu, and colorful and contemporary space, their wine bar and coffee shop fulfilled their aspiration to create a chic, ethical and approachable “third space” for the neighborhood.

The couple were first introduced 12 years ago at a bar through a friend, and since that initial meeting, they’ve made numerous impressive achievements together. In October, they’ll celebrate nine years married, and as a household, they run three different businesses. They are also parents to their 3-year-old daughter, the responsibility that they claim to be the least taxing.

Since 2017, Nagelhout has run an organic farm called Crisp Farms alongside his father. Located in Bastrop County, the

By MEHER QAZILBASH Photographs by DANI PARSONS

aquaponic farm produces vegetables and tilapia to distribute among different Texas restaurants and grocery stores Richardson, who has a background as an environmental engineer, previously worked for Nagelhout and helped him establish their environmentally conscious, cyclical fertilization process. This experience gave Richardson his first taste of entrepreneurship and a desire to leave the corporate world.

Richardson eventually started his own wholesale wine business, Pangea Selections, where he merged his passion for natural wine with his penchant for sustainability within agricultural production. He acknowledges that natural wine is a somewhat nebulous term, but defines it as meaning that the beverage is produced without additives. It’s not a flavor profile, but rather a mode of production.

The pair live in Crestview, a charming and family-friendly neighborhood just five blocks away from Violet Crown. Nagelhout grew up in the area and has lived in their current home for more than a decade. For years, the couple thought the little strip of Crestview Shopping Center would be an ideal spot for a wine bar, oyster bar, coffee shop or something similar. As their desire to jump into the hospitality realm grew, they were eventually connected with the owners of the Violet Crown Clubhouse just as they were preparing to close. Thanks to fortuitous timing, the location fell into their laps.

“It was a friendly passing on of a business, not a takeover,” explains Richardson. “I think the previous owners understood that we were going to be very intentional about keeping the community space aspect of what they were doing.”

Owners Chris Nagelhout & Grant Richardson

“

We wanted Violet Crown to be a community hub for this neighborhood we

live in

When it came to deciding on a concept, the duo knew they wanted to function with an ethos of sustainability, elegance and neighborliness. Richardson’s wine business felt adjacent to hospitality and naturally informed their decision to sell wine. Additionally, selling coffee fit their vision and offered the opportunity to remain open in the daytime. As part of their mission, they source coffee from small artisanal producers that support livable wages for their employees and do so in a manner that is beneficial to the planet.

“We’d love to open restaurants and have a small boutique hotel,” says Nagelhout. “There's a lot of little things we want to dabble in, and having those dreams right there, we thought, ‘Why not just get it done?

Let’s rip the bandaid off and see if this can be the launch pad for other things that we do.’”

Wine-focused bars can often be considered snobby, but the duo didn’t venture to create an exclusive space. Instead, they continuously use the word “nerdy” to describe their fascination with wine, and welcome customers of all ages and interest levels.

“We don't want anyone to feel like they have to earn our hospitality,” says Richardson. “We want to meet customers where they are, and if

they want to come in for just a glass of wine that they don't have to think about, that's great.”

Violet Crown is meant to be a gift to nearby residents, sharing an aura of homeyness while also giving a destination to visit for other locals. The name, taken from their predecessors, comes from an homage to a 19th-century poem written by an Austinite to pay tribute to the city’s beautiful sunset. Crestview’s original neighborhood name was Violet Crown Heights, so the duo chose to keep that name to carry on a certain familiarity. The logo also features Domino, a pig who escaped from a petting zoo at the annual Violet Crown Festival and was never found, as a tribute to that beloved neighborhood lore.

A self-funded project, the couple designed and built the cozy and sophisticated space on their own. Muted dark green tones on the walls and tiles are complemented by wooden benches, brown leather seats, and pops of color in hammock-esque orange chairs. Alongside the more luxurious look are books, cards and Bananagrams for entertainment. Elevated and still informal, the space is conducive for lounging, working or enjoying a nightcap.

Owning and directing a business with your spouse is certain to have its difficulties, but Nagelhout and Richardson have managed to maintain a harmonious work and personal life. They speak honestly and playfully about their different characteristics and the ways that influence how they run their business.

“Chris is a control-driven creative and I am a delegating operational person,” explains Richardson.

“We've learned to lean into the other for where we know our weaknesses are,” adds Nagelhout. “We’ve found that if we work on an equal playing field, it works really well.”

After recently celebrating Violet Crown’s first anniversary in business, the couple is energetic about bringing their concepts to life, as they’re fueled by the beauty of being one’s own boss and concocting an idea out of thin air and making it come true.

“We wanted Violet Crown to be a community hub for this neighborhood we live in,” says Nagelhout.

“We joke that we built it for ourselves,” adds Richardon.

HEAD TO ...

UNDERWRITING SPONSORS:

JennAir — The Halles Food Lab by JennAir

1465 N. Texas Highway 237 Round Top, TX 78954 | thehalles.com

October 12 – October 26, 2024

Shopping: 9 am – 6 pm

Cafe + Bar Hours:

Country Sunshine, 11 am – 9 pm

Round Top Coffee Shop, coffee, breakfast, bites, 9 am – 6 pm

Halles Designer Dinner

Hunt Slonem

Heather Benjamin

Pegaso Gallery Design/ Little Paris Antiques

City Boots

Monday through Friday, October 21– 25, 2024 A week of salon talks, panel discussions, book signings, and cocktails with some of the most well-known designers and architects in the

For news, schedule, tickets, and to join the Texas Design Week mailing list, go to texasdesignweek.com. Schedule and tickets available soon.

Whimsical Wig Whisperer

PHOTO: Ima Shoots

MODEL: Abilgail Jewel

MUA: Anna Fugate-Downs

FLORAL STYLING: Marakata

LOCATION: Dottiewood Studios

Adornment is Allyson Garro’s love language. Owner of the local boutique, Coco Coquette, Allyson encourages you to be your most authentic self when you step foot into her exuberant and colorful East Austin shop that’s stocked with wigs, makeup, lashes, artistic headpieces, costumery and plenty of glitter. Here, you are invited to celebrate, be playful and embrace a world of beauty and fantasy. We were excited to catch up with Allyson to learn a little bit more about the workings of this wondrous wig shop, which has provided a unique and spirited shopping experience since 2010.

By Heidi Okla

Allyson Garro invites you to be playful with your personality and style in her cheerful East Austin shop, Coco Coquette

Q&A WITH ALLYSON GARRO FOR COCO COQUETTE

HEIDI: Let’s start with Coco Coquette’s origin story. What was your motivation and inspiration to own such a unique shop?

ALLYSON: I lived in New Orleans from 1999 to 2003, which is where I fell in love with parade culture and costumes and the revelry and celebration that happens there on such a citywide scale. There, you see people from all walks of life celebrating and expressing themselves in a really authentic and creative way.

Then, there came a point where I felt like I wanted to go beyond — to learn more about costuming. I moved to LA to go to fashion school to learn the construction of costumes. I started working in film and television doing wardrobe design, and I did not love it. It was not as creative as I thought it was going to be.

HEIDI: After moving from New Orleans to LA, how did you end up bringing your creative costuming talent to Austin?

ALLYSON: I had a friend who asked if I wanted to join her for a road trip, and I said, “Yeah, I am ready for the road trip. Let's just do this.” I got here in 2008, and Austin felt so special. I said, “I think I just moved to Austin, Texas.”

I would check in with myself about what I saw next, what I really wanted, what makes me really happy — adornment, costuming, celebration. The part that I loved about styling was dressing people. I loved seeing how special people would feel when they put something different on — that transformation that happens.

HEIDI: If we fast forward to the opening of Coco Coquette in 2010, I understand that the wig party is what really took off in popularity and launched a local customer base. Can you share a little info about the birth of the Coco Coquette wig party?

ALLYSON: I had been working with a friend who was getting married and didn't know what to do for her bachelorette party. I said, “Come to the shop. Let's celebrate with wigs.” We had so much fun. There was a moment that I was looking around the room, and I was like, “Wait, this. This is a thing. This is it!”

HEIDI: For somebody who has not attended one of your wig parties, can you describe the experience?

ALLYSON: It’s so exciting, especially for people who are skeptical or don’t get it at first. I would

“It gives people permission to be this different version of themselves that is so liberating and so exhilarating.”

see people who are here to celebrate their friends, like, “I'm here in support of this birthday. This wasn't my idea.” Then, they come back into the room, and we put that first wig on them, and there's just a little, “Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Oh.” They realize how fabulous they look. [This happens] with makeup, too. All of a sudden, they are wearing fake lashes, lipstick, glitter and fabulous hair. It gives people permission to be this different version of themselves that is so liberating and so

exhilarating.

Sometimes people would walk up to me [after looking at themselves in the wigs and makeup] and say, “I don't recognize this person,” and I would say, “That's you. That is available to you. You can access this version of yourself. You can give yourself permission. Tap into new parts of your personality and let's play with that here. It's playtime.”

HEIDI: So, obviously, the wig parties are such a hit, but there are so many more aspects of the shop. What other products and services do you provide?

ALLYSON: As far as the products that we sell, we have so many gorgeous adornments that are curated from independent designers. My creative joy is creating elaborate headpieces. We also make custom wigs, and we sell a selection of vintage clothing, along with all kinds of makeup, from everyday makeup to sparkly festival makeup and theatrical makeup, to drag makeup and clown makeup.

We'll also book one-on-one makeup appointments for anyone who wants to learn a new skill — from full face or smaller things like help with a smoky eye or winged liner.

HEIDI: Coco Coquette is very inclusive and an LGBTQIA+ safe space, and you offer services for guests who are AMAB (assigned male at birth) who wish to present as women. Can you share a bit more about those appointments?

ALLYSON: It is really special to be entrusted with that part of people's journeys, and we take it very seriously. One of my favorite services that we offer are M2F (male to female) makeup appointments. We also [assist with] full transformations going from makeup, wig fittings and wardrobe, too. I started offering wardrobe transformations for people who are taking that step and need a complete rehaul of their wardrobes. I have an initial consultation with them, talk about what

their style goals are, and find what kind of silhouettes are best for their bodies. That’s been a really gratifying experience to have with people.

HEIDI: Do you also welcome many cancer patients in the shop for wig fittings?

ALLYSON: We are by no means a medical wig spa. We see people who are undergoing treatment who want a fun option and those who want to reimagine what this cancer experience is going to be for them. We see a lot of people who need something that feels joyful. We've also hosted big cancer treatment solidarity parties. It's so touching.

HEIDI: Lastly, here is a tough question: Where can people wear wigs in Austin?

ALLYSON: Oh my gosh. Where can you not wear wigs?! I just feel like people are afraid. What are you waiting for? Life is so special. Every day is worth celebrating. So, wear a wig to H-E-B, or brunch, or get your friends together and go have a picnic. Wigs just make everything more fun.

PHOTO: Allyson Garro MODEL: Chie Endo

PHOTO: Ima Shoots MODEL: Mor Cohen MUA: Hilary Whitworth

PHOTO: Ima Shoots MODEL: Megan Davis

PHOTO: Ima Shoots MODEL: Abilgail Jewel MUA: Anna Fugate-Downs

FLORAL STYLING: Marakata

LOCATION: Dottiewood Studios

UP

REVVING DESIGN

Peek Inside a Home That Merges Luxury Living with Racing Passion

BY LIZ HARROUN

PHOTOS BY NICK SORRENTINO: STELO CREATIVE

SAVANNA ECCLES, OF INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO SAVANNA PAIGE, initially set out to design a dream home for herself and her then-partner, a race car driver from Australia who now calls Austin home. Throughout the project, Eccles’ role expanded to encompass general contracting and interior architecture duties. This hands-on approach ensured their vision was meticulously executed from start to finish, ultimately merging a car garage with a gorgeous and liveable home.

On three acres in Austin, Eccles led the project that turned shipping containers into functional spaces, including two bathrooms and a full bar complete with a copper-plated island—“a nod to the driver’s penchant for luxury,” says Eccles.

The design was conceived to amalgamate a living space with the client’s passion for cars and racing. This unique demand led to an innovative outdoor layout in which the driveway is a functional racetrack modeled after the Ebisu Circuit in Japan. The curving driveway leads visitors to a striking entrance crafted from a repurposed shipping container door. A helicopter pad

at the track's center, painted in Formula 1 style, adds an element of grandeur.

The home's entire base level is constructed from shipping containers, supporting the mezzanine that houses the primary living spaces. This industrial foundation posed a significant challenge, especially in integrating precise plumbing alignments and transforming marine-grade steel into habitable areas. Despite these hurdles, Eccles’ design ensured a seamless blend of industrial and homey elements.

The ground floor features polished concrete, a full bar and a car display area. The bar, adorned with velvety maroon cabinetry and a copper-plated island, exudes a moody yet inviting ambiance. Granite and quartzite countertops enhance the space's luxurious feel, while large multi-slide doors seamlessly integrate the interior with the exterior.

The mezzanine reveals the main living quarters, characterized by dark, moody cabinetry juxtaposed with vibrant blue countertops reminiscent of the ocean — a nod to Eccles’ Californian roots and the race car driver’s Australian heritage. The open-plan layout connects the living room, dining area and kitchen, fostering a sense of spaciousness and continuity.

The primary bedroom suite is a standout feature, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views and a discreet door in the cabinetry that leads to the closet. The primary bathroom continues the theme of luxury with a seven-foot tub, dual shower heads, and a wet room spanning nearly 15 feet. Portola Paints’ lime wash on the walls and Moscato Arabescato marble countertops add a sophisticated touch, and Newport brass fixtures in a gunmetal finish and oversized Bedrosians tile complete the opulent space.

Eccles’ first foray into working with shipping containers presented several challenges, particularly the precision required for plumbing and structural integrity. Additionally, installing the massive countertops on the mezzanine involved maneuvering a forklift through the living area.

Despite these challenges, Eccles brought the project to the finish line, blending cutting-edge design with personal touches that reflect the client's lifestyle and passions. Her innovative approach and meticulous attention to detail have created a functional and beautiful space.

SAVANNAPAIGE.COM

TRIBEZA WELLNESS GUIDE

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUSTIN’S TOP WELLNESS HOTSPOTS.

FROM NUTRITION TO FITNESS TO SKINCARE, WE’RE READY TO DIVE INTO HEALTHY ROUTINES THIS FALL AND RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING HOLISTIC WELLNESS FOR OUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

101 RED RIVER STREET, FLOOR 6

AUSTIN, TX

FAIRMONT-AUSTIN.COM/WELLNESS/SPA/ @FAIRMONTATX

FAIRMONT SPA AUSTIN

Fairmont Spa Austin is a world-class luxury spa offering skyline serenity in the heart of downtown Austin. The acclaimed spa features nine lavishly-adorned treatment rooms, including two couples’ suites, and a full day-spa experience. Relax and unwind with two signature women’s and men’s solariums that wrap guests in stunning city views. Each solarium showcases a saline soaking pool, a eucalyptus steam grotto and a European dry heat sauna. Guests can select from personalized treatments ranging from bespoke massages to revitalizing facials and luxe manicures and pedicures. Discover the best in luxury services featuring Biologique Recherche, a Therabody Recovery Suite and Hydrafacial® treatment options at this downtown gem.

BRITSBARRE STUDIO

Britsbarre Virtual Studio is a health and wellness platform founded by Austinite, former professional ballerina, celebrity trainer and toddler mom Brittany Shimansky designed to empower and uplift busy women through quick and effective beat-based workouts. The fitness app of on-demand workouts and recovery classes uplift your mood and deliver results that clients can feel and see in under 30 minutes a day, helping them get in the best shape of their lives with muscle-defining barre classes, all from the convenience of their own home. Readers can experience one month free with code TRIBEZA at Britsbarre.com.

BRITSBARRE.COM

@BRITSBARRE @BRITSBARREVIRTUALSTUDIO

RENU WELL AESTHETICS & WELLNESS

Renu Well Aesthetics and Wellness is Austinites’ secret weapon to aging gracefully. This modern, nature-inspired relaxing retreat features cutting-edge skin rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments. The sleek and contemporary med spa is redefining aging, believing it should be embraced rather than feared. Their highly trained, experienced medical providers offer a wide range of services including anti-aging lasers, collagen stimulating and wrinkle-relaxing injectables, medical-grade skincare and facials, weight management programs, vitamin shots and more to help clients look and feel their most confident while addressing their unique and most vulnerable concerns.

8301 SHOAL CREEK BLVD.

AUSTIN, TX 78757

RENUWELLAUSTIN.COM

@RENUWELLATX

PHOTO BY BROOKE GARWOOD MEDIA

PHOTO BY DANIEL NGUYEN PHOTOGRAPHY

HILL COUNTRY HERB GARDEN

Escape to Fredericksburg, Texas to visit the Hill Country Herb Garden, a wellness retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the garden grounds with more than 150 unique botanical species. The idyllic setting also has 14 uniquely decorated and curated cottages, each with its own front porch featuring a swing and rocking chairs and in-room mini bar. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast delivered to the cottage door every morning followed by fresh American cuisine with international influences at the on-site restaurant. Escape to the Spa to indulge in full-body services such as massage, body scrubs, body wraps, waxing and infrared sauna, the newly-added Head Spa, or relax with on-site yoga from The Wellness Collective.

PHOTO BY BROOKS + CO.

8212 BARTON CLUB DR. AUSTIN, TX 78735

OMNIBARTONCREEK.COM

MOKARA SPA

Relax, unwind, and rejuvenate away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at the stunningly secluded Mokara Spa, conveniently located inside Omni Barton Creek Resort. Just a short drive from downtown Austin, this spa offers you a myriad of options to nurture your well-being. Treat yourself to an array of experiences, including massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services. After your treatments, immerse yourself in exceptional amenities such as the soothing relaxation lounge, steam room, sauna, and indoor heated whirlpool. As a Mokara Spa guest, you are invited to continue your wellness journey by stepping into the resort's expansive fitness center, where you can explore classes ranging from yoga to spin. Alternatively, escape the heat by lounging at the spa’s private rooftop pool, which overlooks the expansive Texas Hill Country.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT & SPA

MEDITATION BAR

At Meditation Bar, immerse yourself in the therapeutic benefits of a sound bath in a spa-like atmosphere. In a Sound Spa session, luxurious sound baths are designed to offer healing soundscapes in a serene setting. Sound Spas include soothing and therapeutic sound from a wide variety of instruments (like singing bowls, gongs, and chimes) delivered by an experienced Sound Therapist in a peaceful atmosphere with massage tables, blankets, and cushions. Sound Spas are offered as small group events for four, or can be booked privately for the ultimate bespoke experience.

9501 N CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY #301

AUSTIN, TX 78759

MEDITATIONBAR.COM

@MEDITATION_BAR

URBAN LAGREE

Get shaky and get sweaty at female-founded Urban Lagree, a boutique fitness studio now with three locations across Austin. Try the 45-minute high-intensity, yet low-impact, full body workout on its megaformer designed to tone and strengthen the body. Urban Lagree is for everyone. The studio focuses on building community and making a workout that is accessible to all. Whether recovering from injury, taking your fitness goal to the next level or simply needing a change, wellness goals are within reach. Urban Lagree is offering two introductory specials, including two classes for $35 or $150 for your first month unlimited.

4800 BURNET RD, SUITE A-100 AND OTHER LOCATIONS

URBANLAGREE.COM

@URBANLAGREE

PHOTO BY GENEVIEVE DANIELL

JUICELAND

30+ LOCATIONS ACROSS AUSTIN, AND GROWING

At JuiceLand, every sip is a celebration of feeling good. Since 2001, the Austin icon has been blending up superfood-focused nutritious smoothies, alongside delicious plant-based meals and freshly pressed wellness shots. With 30+ locations across Austin, it’s a true wellness staple in the city. At JuiceLand, nourishment comes in the form of good foods, a healthy environment, and a vibrant community. It believes in practicing gratitude for all by sourcing ingredients sustainably, using compostable and recyclable packaging, and cultivating a fun, inviting vibe in its shops that is inspiring and welcoming to all. This past summer, JuiceLand launched Iced Matcha Lattes with organic matcha and real fruit blends. Other favorites include the new Banh Mi wrap and the Tropical Coconut Yogurt Smoothie Bowl.

JUICELAND.COM @JUICELAND

PHOTOS BY COREY CARBO + JON SCOTTY

A BETTER WAY TO WORK. TRICK HAT WORKWAY

The design features inviting textures and glimpses of Austin's charm, fostering an environment where people converge, ideas flow, and creativity thrives.

Where business flexes with nature, Trick Hat Workway is located right at the foot of Lady Bird Lake and the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge. A space that makes it easy to come and go.

Ensuring Every Child Has a Voice

CASA OF TRAVIS COUNTY ADVOCATES FOR THOSE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THROUGH THE WORK OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

By Avery Matschek

FOR CHILDREN IN THE AUSTIN AREA who experience abuse or neglect, CASA of Travis County steps in by training volunteers to advocate for the best interest of minors in the child welfare system. In 2023, the organization advocated for nearly 1,000 children with the help of approximately 600 volunteers who served as advocates for those children over the course of the year.

Advocates assume the responsibility of making an informed recommendation to the judge of the case based on the child’s best interest, so volunteers spend, on average, 15 to 20 hours per month building a rapport with the child, while also gathering information from any of family CASA is able to locate, and the child’s wider network of teachers, doctors, and more.

Erin Kozma, Senior Director of Advancement for CASA of Travis County, developed a passion for CASA as a child when her mother sat on the bench as a child welfare judge in Travis County for approximately 20 years. Kozma herself has

now worked with CASA both locally and nationally on-and-off for about 10 years.

Since June 2022, CASA of Travis County has been assigned to 100% of new cases of child abuse or neglect filed in the county, an accomplishment the organization had worked towards for more than 30 years.

“Being able to serve all of the kids in Travis County means that no child is left without a voice,” says Kozma. “No child is left without someone to stand for them and speak for them.”

CASA volunteers go through an interview, multiple background checks and a 39-hour training program that includes courtroom observation before they are sworn into their roles by a judge. When a volunteer is sworn in, they will go into CASA’s case matching system, where the organization considers the volunteer’s background and the needs of the child in need to assign the best volunteer to each case.

“A lot of people confuse the work that CASA does with a mentorship program,” explains

Kozma. “Although in some circumstances a volunteer could fill some sort of mentorship role, that is not our primary goal. Our goal is to advocate for the child's best interests in court and the community.”

According to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child’s study on resilience, “The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver or other adult.”

“It only takes one adult to change a child’s life for the better. I want to be that for a child. Don’t you?” says June Waters, a local CASA volunteer advocate.

When deemed to be in the child’s best interest, CASA of Travis County believes it is best to keep children connected to their families. In 2023, 79% of the children whose cases CASA of Travis County helped close were reunited with family or living permanently with relatives. The organization’s local chapter has a deep history of innovation,

“

BEING ABLE TO SERVE ALL OF THE KIDS IN TRAVIS COUNTY MEANS THAT

NO CHILD IS LEFT WITHOUT A VOICE. ”

developing and piloting programs that have now been implemented in CASA programs across the country, including the Bridge to Permanency program, which provides funding to placements to allow them to stabilize and create a safe environment for the children involved.

“I think we can all relate to being a kid and feeling like you might be unheard or that your needs might not be met,” says Kozma. “It's so much more impactful when these kids are experiencing the amount of trauma and instability that the kids we serve are currently going through.”

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the CASA Superhero Run, which will be held at Circuit of the Americas on September 22. The fundraising event includes a 5K, Kids Fun Run and festival, and attendees are encouraged to participate in a costume contest. This Central Texas initiative benefits CASA programs in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties.

“Become a volunteer,” adds Kozma. “We always need volunteers. There are kids coming into the system every week, and we need people to step up and advocate for them.”

Learn more about how to become a volunteer advocate or donate to CASA of Travis County on their website, where you can also learn how to participate in the upcoming Superhero Run, a simple and easy way to get involved.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the CASA Superhero Run

How the Mueller DEVELOPMENT KEEPS Glowing

MARRIED ARTISTS PAINT UPLIFTING SCENES FOR THE COMMUNITY

By

Christina Garcia Photographs By Jeff Teicher

The paint was still wet when we first spoke to the artists selected to paint a mural on the Mary Elizabeth Branch Park pavilion in Austin. It was dark outside. Ernesto and Cindy Hernandez, from the El Paso-Juarez border region and Oak Cliff, respectively, preferred cool moonlight to elevated daytime temperatures, so they often pulled paint across the walls after sunset. The pair had already worked together on a handful of murals across Central Texas, and this one, installed where the Robert Mueller Airport once stood, would depict themes of “taking flight.” From the site where the Texas Farmers’ Market springs to life each week, it would also highlight the natural world.

TAKING FLIGHT

Gifted by Texas Mutual and the Catellus Development Corporation, in partnership with Raasin in the Sun, The Cathedral ATX and Monica Ceniceros, the new Mueller mural arrives as the development nears the end of a two-decade-long growth plan.

“This is considered to be an innovative community. It’s very forward-thinking,” said Ernesto, who saw the “singular” hummingbird as a fitting emblem. It's the only bird that can fly backward and upside down, and as sacred animals, the tiny fowl also represents messages sent by ancestors, said the life-long painter. His work, like Cindy’s, often foregrounds spiritual themes and Indigenous stories. The mural’s feather image, for example, is one “heavily symbolic across many cultures,” explained Ernesto.

Water conservation is a focus in the Mueller district, where residential and commercial landscape design guidelines called for 50% native plants to restore Blackland Prairie habitats with non-invasive, drought-tolerant species. Ernesto explained that responsible water stewardship remains key for indigenous communities, so local vines, plants, and flowers bloom

in their design, but Cindy and Ernesto did not choose to represent those aspects alone. The ideas, like the Mueller neighborhood’s genesis, were community-based.

COMMUNITY AS THE ARTIST

Upending the idea of the artist as a solitary visionary, the married couple welcomed input.

“We had one day when people stopped by, and we started with words,” said Ernesto. “We just gave them markers and pieces of paper and asked, ‘What do you want to see?’” Input from multiple stakeholders necessitated multiple mural sketches, too.

With roots stretching to the Coahualtican, Mayan, Toltecan, Apache, and Guatemalan people, the Hernandezes told us that wide involvement was exactly what their ancestors would have wanted.

“We’re all artists,” said Ernesto. “We’re down to paint with anybody, especially people who say, ‘Oh, I don’t paint,’ or ‘I’m not an artist.’”

Though stipulations barred it this time, Cindy told us that she and Ernesto often invite curious onlookers to join them in painting. “You get to see their inner child come out,” said Cindy.

In a growing list of public art around Austin, the Mueller piece is sure to become a draw for all ages.

@ERNESTO_CHECHE

LOOKS FROM THE LAWN

Another season of the Drop-In concert series has come to a close, but we truly enjoyed the music, the food trucks, the skyline views and all of the fun style showcased on the Long Center lawn. Here’s just a handful of cute fits we loved.

MEGAN CAREW

MICAH WEATHERS

ALESIA

PEACE IYIEWUARE

ALY WOODFORD

GRACE DUPUY

MARS IRUEGAS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRACE DUPY

GOODWILL CENTRAL TEXAS IS YOUR HALLOWEEN DESTINATION

As summer days fade into fall, it’s time to start planning your most important fit of the season – your Halloween costume. At Goodwill Central Texas, you’ll find deals on both new and thrifted costumes, as well as the perfect accessories to incorporate into your look, such as makeup, blood, wings and other touches to take your costume over the top.

Plus, not only will you look good when you shop at Goodwill Central Texas, but you’ll feel good. Thrifting is a great way to not only be original and the only person at the party with your costume, but it's also sustainable. About 35 million costumes are thrown away each year, and thrifting is a way to keep costumes out of the landfill.

When you shop for your costume at Goodwill Central Texas, you're also helping people in the local community by supporting job training, career certification, and education. Consider Halloween handled.

WHAT GROWS TOGETHER GOES TOGETHER

THE AUSTIN CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY HAS BEEN CULTIVATING PLANT LOVE IN AUSTIN SINCE 1975

By Darcie Duttweiler

by Julia Zeddies

The No. 1 rule about succulents, according to Austin Cactus and Succulent Society’s VP of Membership Mike Rupe, is that “not all succulents are cacti, but a cactus is a succulent.” He elaborates, “A succulent plant is a plant that can store water in its body, leaves, and roots and survive a hot climate.”

And that’s about all you need to know before attending your first ACSS meeting. Oh, and there are free plants.

Since its founding in 1975, the ACSS has been a cornerstone of community engagement and preservation efforts. Meeting monthly at the Zilker Botanical Garden, the society has cultivated a dedicated group of enthusiasts who share a passion for cacti and succulents. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in these fascinating plants, regardless of background or experience level.

Sara Sturtevant, the current president of ACSS, highlights the welcoming nature of the club. "We welcome everyone and try to be inclusive,” says Sturtevant. “Our members range from those who've never owned a plant to professionals and academics who've been involved for decades.”

This diversity in age and experience creates a rich, supportive environment where members can learn and grow together, pun intended. Monthly meetings provide additional opportunities for learning and camaraderie, featuring presentations on a wide range of topics, including specific plant species and preservation efforts.

"We love to nerd out and rally around a nice PowerPoint," laughs Sturtevant. The society also maintains an extensive library of cactus and succulent publications available to all members to expand their knowledge.

The club is deeply committed to preservation and education. As part of their

mission, ACSS promotes the study, propagation, and preservation of cacti and other succulents. They also work to raise public awareness about these unique plants. The club's commitment to community and preservation is showcased in their biannual shows and sales, which are eagerly anticipated events. The fall show, held at the Zilker Botanical Garden, is particularly popular, with lines forming out the door for the unique plant offerings.

"We use the funds from our shows and sales to support research, education and preservation efforts," explains Sturtevant. The society regularly makes donations to educational endeavors and projects across Texas and beyond.

The shows are more than just marketplaces — they're vibrant celebrations of the cactus and succulent community. Members showcase their prized plants, creating a breathtaking display of botanical diversity. Daily silent auctions, hourly plant raffles, and expert advice from passionate growers add to the excitement.

"The kiddos love the plant raffle," says Sturtevant. "It's a fun way to engage the younger generation in our hobby."

Field trips are another highlight for ACSS members. These excursions offer a chance to see cacti and succulents in their natural habitats and to learn from experienced guides. Rupe recalls a memorable trip to Big Bend. "We stayed out there for five nights, geeking out over the neat plants and photographing species in their real environment."

In essence, the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society is a thriving community of plant enthusiasts dedicated to preservation, education, and the enjoyment of cacti and succulents. As Sturtevant puts it, "We came for the plants and stayed for the people." The society's ongoing efforts ensure that this passion will continue to flourish for generations to come.

Photograph

Environmentalism MADE Playful

SEVENTH ANNUAL FORTLANDIA EXHIBIT FEATURES

NATURE-INSPIRED STRUCTURES CRAFTED BY ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS

By Liz Harroun

NESTLED WITHIN THE VIBRANT MISSION of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center lies Fortlandia, an annual celebration of imagination and environmental stewardship. Now in its seventh year, Fortlandia beckons visitors with a unique collection of interactive forts, each a testament to the center's dedication to native plant conservation.

Managed by Scott Simons, the director of marketing and communications at the Wildflower Center, Fortlandia features eight distinctive forts crafted by architects, designers and artists. These structures grace the center's grounds, offering a hands-on exploration of the natural world. The forts not only captivate through their innovative designs but also embody the ethos of the Wildflower Center — to inspire a deeper connection with native flora.

“The Wildflower Center, while part of the University of Texas system, remains an entirely self-funded organization, so events like Fortlandia drive revenue to fund our conservation efforts,” says Simons. “Fortlandia helps drive our mission by promoting inspired play, where children connect directly with nature, specifically native plants.”

The process behind Fortlandia is as dynamic as its forts. Applicants submit proposals to a committee that selects the final eight designs to be commissioned.

“We like to keep the criteria loose, so there’s plenty of room for creativity, and we accept applicants from anywhere in the world, from all walks of life,” says Patrick Moran, events and exhibitions coordinator for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. “Most of our designers tend to be local architects, designers and artists.”

Those chosen receive a stipend to cover the full spectrum of design, construction and labor costs, empowering them to bring their visions to life. From rustic retreats to intricate installations, the diversity of creations reflects both the designers' talents and the depth of their connection to native landscapes.

While the Wildflower Center provides the framework and funding, Fortlandia thrives on the design partners' creativity and dedication. Their craftsmanship transforms conceptual designs into tangible experiences that resonate with visitors.

Christopher Clifton of Okkem Design is the mastermind behind the structure known as Harmony Habitat. This captivating geodesic design is made from two halves of a two-frequency icosahedron, a shape commonly seen in children's half-dome climbing structures. Clifton was drawn to the mathematical properties of this shape for its potential to enhance design efficiency over construction time. Its triangular tessellations frame plywood panels celebrating the local ecosystem and featuring laseretched depictions of Central Texas flora and fauna.

Nicolette Davis of STG Design designed the Honeycomb Hideout, which encourages kids to play like bees and actively emulate the symbiosis between pollinators and wildflowers.

“The Hideout is made of tiered hexagonal platforms and accented by spiraling depictions of wildflowers, creating ample opportunity for playful pollinators to climb, jump and slide,” says Davis. “Creative architectural uses of the hexagonal honeycomb shape and the desire to mix education with play were the primary inspirations for our design.”

As the anticipation builds for this year's event, Fortlandia promises another season of discovery, where play meets purpose amidst the blooms and biodiversity of the Wildflower Center. Open from October 5, 2024 through February 2, 2025, Fortlandia is a celebration that invites everyone to explore, imagine and connect with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.

TOP: Honeycomb Hideout design rendering by STG Design

BOTTOM: Harmony Habitat design rendering by Okkem Design

Round Top Rendezvous

THREE REASONS TO SET YOUR GPS TO THE FALL ROUND TOP ANTIQUES & DESIGN SHOW

By Candice Cowin & Catherine D. Anspon

Just like Austin, Round Top is a state of mind. A mere 90 minutes away, it’s among the most bucolic places you’ll find for sleuthing rare European antiques, charming Americana, fashion with an ode to the West, vintage treasures — and now it's a foodie destination. Here’s a trio of reasons to roadtrip to Round Top for the Fall Antiques & Design Show, held October 5 through 27.

DISCOVER, SHOP, ACQUIRE

Talk about miles and miles of Texas: From across the country, 100,000 seekers of home design, antiques, art, and style descend upon the historic hamlet of Round Top (population 88) and surrounding towns for a half-century tradition that today encompasses more than 4,000 dealers spilling into fields, tents, and barns across 25 miles. Among the Fall Show’s 80-some venues, TRIBEZA recommends: designer destination Marburger Farm Antique Show (October 15 - 19); Bader Ranch; Blue Hills (October 5 - 19) and sister property The Big Red Barn (October 14 - 19); Cisco Village; Ex-Cess I and II; Jardin de France; McLaren’s; Market Hill; The Arbors; The Compound; The 550 Market; The Horseshoe; The 303; historic Zapp Hall; and The Halles.

The always popular Round Top venue Blue Hills (bluehillsatroundtop.com) launches its massive expansion — adding seven permanent barns to the existing 11-barn compound with 85-plus dealers showcasing antiques, home decor, vintage furniture, home accessories, outdoor furnishings, fashion, jewelry and more.

DIVINE DINNERS

The great year-round restaurants in tiny Round Top are exceptional (LuLu’s, Boon & Co, Mandito’s Tex-Mex, Royers Round Top Cafe, Duo Modern at Market Hill, The Garden Co., Merritt Meat Company, Round Top Brewing, The Stone Cellar and The Jon Perez Lounge at The 550 District and Popi Burger), but during show time, the expanded culinary scene runs the gamut from friendly food trucks to white tablecloth dining in the

LEFT: Boots at Marburger Farm Antique Show

fields. Scoring a seat at a special chef-crafted dinner should be a top priority when planning a visit. Be on the lookout for tickets to Royers Cafe’s five-course Caymus Vineyards wine dinner on October 20 (@royersroundtopcafe). Visiting chef Nick Middleton of Austin-based Y Comida reprises his role as chef in residence at Bader Ranch October 10 - 26, including a four-course dinner nightly (reservations highly recommended at shoproundtop.com). Dallasbased chef Victor Hugo returns to the kitchen at Oakbones lodge to provide nightly dinners October 14 - 26 (@oakbonesroundtop). The 550 District hosts a pair of farm-to-table Butcher’s Ball dinners presided over by chefs Erin Feges and Sasha Grumman on October 11 and 12, served in the Round Top Dance Hall, with VIPs taking their seats inside The 550 District’s swanky speakeasy, The Mark (@the550district).

Other show-only dining includes Saturday hog roasts at Duo Modern restaurant at Market Hill (@markethillroundtop) and Feasts in the Field at Rancho Pillow (@ranchopillow), with livefire meals served at festive communal outdoor

tables. Foodie options for design lovers include the Kim Hoegger Farmhaus Dinner & VIP Barn Sale, held at the picturesque farm of designer Kim Hoegger, which includes a candlelit dinner crafted by local chefs and shopping Hoegger’s private barn filled with antique finds, and an intimate Q&A with Krissa Rossbund, style and design editor of Traditional Home magazine (@ kimhoeggerhome). The Halles’ Designer Dinner on October 14 is one of the hottest tickets in Round Top, with national design luminaries as guests, including Hunt Slonem as one of the esteemed honorees, and a seated dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire. (Tickets at thehalles.com.) Finally, go hog wild at Ellis Motel’s inaugural luau on October 18, with hog roast and a melding of Hawaiian and Texas esprit. (No tickets needed, @ellis_motel.)

FASHION IN THE FIELDS

During show time, Round Top transforms into an epicenter of Western fashion. Hats and hatters, milliners, boots, and vintage Western wear can be found at many venues.

Attending one of the six fashion shows on the docket this fall is a must. Round Top fashion week kicks off on October 16 at the Round Top Dance Hall with The 550 Market Red Carpet Fashion Show, followed by the Western Vintage Renegades Fashion Show on October 17 at Market Hill. Two big fashion happenings at The 303: October 18, Rodeo Runway fashion show and late-night shopping features all The 303 vendors; and on October 19, Pixie and the Moon hosts its Stevie Nicks sartorial spectacle tribute, again at The 303. The Halles joins the fashion fray on October 19 with models set to hit the catwalk during the ever-popular Late Night Luxury event — a fashion, jewelry, and accessories bazaar. Vincent Peach Fine Jewelry (@vincentpeach) wraps the runway excitement on October 19 with its ninth biannual Gourmet Wine Dinner & Fashion Show starring Michelle Garcia Couture at Duo Modern restaurant in Market Hill.

TOP: The Halles Designer Dinner LEFT: Coty Cole, Denver Courtney at The 550 Market Red Carpet Fashion Show

Unpacking treasures at Marburger Farm

RISING IN LOVE AGAIN

Advice on life and love from Kristin Armstrong

Dear Kristin,

After an unsuccessful marriage that I entered into at a very early age, I have found myself again and feel like I've potentially met someone that really gets me. Sparks are flying, but I'm concerned that I could make the same past mistakes again in this new relationship. How can I make sure that I am building a really healthy foundation from the start this time?

that have the potential to trigger you. Until we find love again, these triggers are merely hypothetical. It’s one thing to imagine what you might feel or how you might respond in an activated moment, and entirely another thing to experience it in real time and test your training. The ability to communicate in and around activated moments is imperative. You need to know if either of you will shut down, withdraw, run away, or blow up. If you can, take a deep breath, pause, and talk things through without incurring additional damage.

end road.

This is why taking time to really get to know each other and develop a friendship as a foundation is so important and revealing. Even great sex can be a detour rather than a catalyst to deeper intimacy if it distracts you from looking at the things that would otherwise catch your attention.

I’m so happy for you. The gift of a “Part Two” in a life story is a beautiful thing. I like to think that a life story without a love story is not a story at all.

The best advice I can give you is to pace yourself. Even if the excitement of possibility or the rush of a dopamine surge is carrying you forward like a wave — slow your roll. I say that with the balanced message of both take your time and don’t waste your time. Time is precious — so is your heart.

In “Part Two,” we have more wisdom and experience than we did in “Part One.” If we have done our healing work, our basis for making good decisions and the ability to trust our intuition is likely higher. If we have not done our work, then it can be like unloading a moving truck full of old crap into a beautiful new home. We keep carting that stuff around until we sort it out, learn what we need to keep, and let the rest go.

Hopefully by now, you are well aware of the things

In the beginning, we all tend to put our best foot forward and keep our shadows to ourselves. This is why pacing yourself is so essential. We must allow for the unfolding. Just like a closed bud cannot be rushed in order to see the flower, love has to bloom. As time passes and real intimacy is forged, we have the opportunity to experience difficult moments together.

It's important to know how you and your new partner will behave when stressed, when hurting, when jealous, when tired, when overwhelmed, when disappointed, when tempted, when angry, when the chips are down. The smooth road of good times or early bliss do not reveal these things. Terrain does. When choosing a partner for “Part Two,” we are wise enough to know that there will be rocky terrain. It’s inevitable. It’s how we respond in those moments that reveals who we really are.

Relationships have phases — attraction, connection, decision, love, commitment and compatibility. You could be attracted to someone, even connected, even in love, even exclusive, even committed, and yet, if you lack compatibility, it’s going to be a difficult or dead-

Pay attention to what your heart says, what your body says, what your mind says, what your spirit says, and what your family and closest friends say. If questions come up, talk to your therapist — alone and with your partner.

I never really liked the idea of falling in love. I prefer to rise in love. I hope you do, too.

May your “Part Two” be blessed and beautiful.

With so much love, Kristin

Portrait by Laura Doss

Art by Rachel Tieleman

SAY HOWDY TO MODERN COUNTRY LIVING

Tree Tops at Round Top is a design-forward community that embraces a less traditional attitude while preserving nature and evoking modern country living. A diversity of scales, uses, and carefully considered site plans make the parcels feel more organic. Well-tailored home sites with intentional placement create privacy and unique view corridors.

AUSTIN CURATED

WHAT'S NEW ON TRIBEZA.COM

FAIRMONT AUSTIN’S COMEDY & CAVIAR

Fairmont Austin is pairing laughs with luxury through its new Room 725 Comedy & Caviar series, featuring Austin’s top comedians for a truly unique experience. Guests can enjoy the Room 725 Champagne & Caviar menu service during the show, with premium postshow cigars available to complete the ultimate night out.

TRONA

AUTUMN AFTER DARK

Discover the must-visit places for after-dark experiences this season. From cozy cocktail lounges to bustling dance floors, our digital guide highlights some of the best of Austin's nightlife for unforgettable evenings.

tribeza.com/austin-nightlife

OUTER HEAVEN DISCO CLUB

Located in Austin’s Eastside, Trona is an intimate cocktail lounge inspired by Oaxacan and Japanese design, offering world-class tequilas, mezcals and rare Japanese whiskeys. With its moody atmosphere and exquisite drinks, Trona is the perfect spot for date nights. While typically reservation-only, on Sundays you can enjoy a walk-in experience, featuring a special menu and a more relaxed vibe.

Outer Heaven Disco Club offers a vibrant mix of entertainment throughout the week. From Monday to Thursday, the space features a karaoke bar, while on Friday and Saturday nights, it transforms into a lively dance club. On weekends, enjoy a blend of today's hits, classic tracks and funky house beats. With a dazzling disco ball, colorful lights, great drinks and infectious tunes, this spot is the ultimate destination for dancing the night away.

TRIBEZA’S ONLINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THE LONG GOODBYE

The Long Goodbye is East Austin's latest hotspot, blending mid-century modern design with a nostalgic Hollywood ambiance. This all-day, all-night destination offers a unique mix of classic cocktails, delicious food and vibrant community events, making it a standout addition to Austin's day-to-night bar scene.

UMLAUF: AFTER DARK

UMLAUF After Dark is a bi-monthly event at UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum, bringing together musicians, artists and the community. Held every other first Tuesday, guests can enjoy live performances, local food and art in a stunning outdoor setting.

Stay up-to-date on local events with Tribeza’s online calendar featuring a curated list of Austin’s best happenings. tribeza.com/event-calendar Follow us @Tribeza on Instagram and Facebook